MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A media company and trade association embroiled in a lawsuit with the state's athletic association have filed to move the case from state to federal court.

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association and Gannett Co. filed the "notice of removal" with the U.S. District Court in Madison on Tuesday to move the lawsuit by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association from Portage County Circuit Court.

The motion says the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 pre-empts state law for subject matter falling under federal copyright provisions.

The WIAA is asking a court for exclusive ownership rights to the variety of media used to high school athletic tournaments. Gannett and WNA attorneys have yet to file a formal response to the WIAA complaint. That's expected next week.

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