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nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Intellectual Property</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial Designs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Training</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li> <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li><li> <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops & Seminars</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP and ...</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a 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<button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/">Sport & IP</a></li> </ul><h1>Sport and Intellectual Property</h1>  <div class="content"> <div class="main"> <p class="lead">Innovation and creativity are key drivers in the world of sport. In every sporting field, inventors and creators are working behind the scenes to push the boundaries, creating new opportunities for enjoyment and for athletes to better their performance.</p> <p>Sport shows <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/" target="_self">intellectual property</a> (IP) in action. <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/" target="_self">Patents</a> encourage technological advances that result in better sporting equipment. <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/" target="_self">Trademarks</a>, brands and <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/" target="_self">designs</a> contribute to the distinct identity of events, teams and their gear. <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/" target="_self">Copyright</a>-related rights generate the revenues needed for broadcasters to invest in the costly undertaking of broadcasting sports events to  fans all over the world. IP rights are the basis of licensing and merchandising agreements that earn revenues to support development of the sports industry.</p> <div class="media"> <figure class="pull-left"><img class="media-object" src="/web/20180721024042im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/ip-sport/images/sports_shoe2.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: Longshotter)</figcaption></figure> <div class="media-body"> <p class="media-heading"><strong>A sports shoe may be protected by several IP rights:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/" target="_self">Patents</a> protect the technology used to develop the shoe</li> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/" target="_self">Designs</a> protect the “look” of the shoe</li> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/trademarks.html" target="_self">Trademarks</a> distinguish the shoe from similar products and protect the “reputation” of the shoe (and the company making it)</li> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/" target="_self">Copyright</a> protects any artwork and audiovisual creations used to publicize the shoe</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180721024042im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/ip-sport/images/pole_vault.jpg" alt="" border="0"/><figcaption>Constant innovations in technology and materials have helped athletes reach ever greater heights. (Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis)</figcaption></figure> </div> </div>  <div class="content content--news line"> <div class="nav-expanding"> <h2 class="nav-expanding__header">News</h2> <ul class="nav-expanding__list"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport/home/unplayers/unoffice/idsdp" target="_blank">UN International Day for Sport and Peace</a> (April 6, 2014)</li> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/briefs/ip_sports.html" target="_self">Background brief - IP and sports</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2>IP and the business of sport</h2> <p>IP lies at the heart of the huge commercial opportunities offered by the world of sport. IP rights (especially patents, trademarks and <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/activities/broadcast.html" target="_self">broadcasting</a> rights) - and the legal protection they give – help to secure the economic value of sport. This in turn stimulates growth of the sports industry, enables sporting organizations to finance high-profile sports events, and provides the means to promote sports development. Business transactions related to <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/licenses.html" target="_self">sponsorship, merchandising</a>, broadcasting and media deals are all built on IP rights. The sports industry has a growing impact on the world economy, creating jobs, investing in public infrastructure and mobilizing resources. </p> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/technology.html">Technology</a></h3> <p>From the sports shoe to the swimsuit and the tennis racket to the football, sports technologists have applied their ingenuity, creativity and expertise to develop better and safer equipment in the quest for sporting excellence.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/branding.html">Branding</a></h3> <p>Brands are critical for creating business value, and the sports business is no exception. Strong brands command customer loyalty and premium prices, constituting valuable assets that drive company revenue and growth.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/design.html">Design</a></h3> <p>The influence of design in the world of sport is far-reaching. Where image and aesthetics are involved, so too is design, and where new materials emerge, aesthetics or design soon follow.</p> </div> </div>  <div class="content cols cols--three"> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/broadcasting.html">Broadcasting</a></h3> <p>Copyright and related rights, particularly those relating to broadcasting organizations, underpin the relationship between sport and television and other media.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/licenses.html">Licenses & sponsorship</a></h3> <p>By acquiring intellectual property (IP) rights and then using them strategically, sports organizations and other rights owners can protect and increase their income-generating potential.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/olympic.html">The Olympic Games</a></h3> <p>The IP system, and trademarks in particular, play a pivotal role in safeguarding the unique character of the Olympic Games and their identifications, including the Olympic symbol, Olympic emblems, the flag, the torch and the anthem.</p> </div> </div>  <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2>WIPO and sport</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/development.html">Sport & development</a></h3> <p>The economic importance of IP and sport, and their potential contribution to development have led to an increased focus on the issue among WIPO’s member states and throughout the wider United Nations family.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/respect.html">Respect for IP in sport</a></h3> <p>WIPO’s work on <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/enforcement/en/" target="_self">building respect for IP</a> in sport is part of its strategic goal to build respect for IP around the world.</p> </div>  <div class="col col--three"> <h3><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/ip-sport/en/dispute.html">Resolving disputes</a></h3> <p>WIPO’s <a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/" target="_self">Arbitration and Mediation Center</a> provides two types of dispute resolution service relevant to sport.</p> </div> </div>  <div class="content cols cols--two line"> <h2>Related links</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>WIPO Magazine articles</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2016/04/article_0004.html">Protecting the Olympic Properties</a> (WIPO Magazine 4/2016)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/05/article_0005.html" target="_self">Sports, Sporting Goods and the Sports Business</a> (WIPO Magazine 5/2012)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/04/article_0007.html">A Glimpse into the Future of Paralympic Sports</a> (WIPO Magazine 4/2012)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/03/article_0003.html" target="_self">The Olympic Properties</a> (WIPO Magazine 3/2012)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/02/article_0008.html" target="_self">UEFA's Battle for its Brand</a> (WIPO Magazine 2/2012)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2012/01/article_0002.html" target="_self">Rugby, Rights and Revenues</a> (WIPO Magazine 1/2012)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2006/04/article_0005.html" target="_self">2006 World Cup – What was the IP Score?</a> (WIPO Magazine 4/2006)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2005/03/article_0005.html" target="_self">Striving for Excellence - An Exhibition on IP and Sport</a> (WIPO Magazine 3/2005)</li> </ul> </div>  <div class="col col--two"> <h3><span style="background-color: #ffffff;">External resources</span></h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport/home" target="_blank">United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace</a> (UNOSDP)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/http://www.sroc.info/" target="_blank">Sports Right Owners Coalition</a> (SROC)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/http://www.olympic.org" target="_blank">International Olympic Committee</a> (IOC)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/http://www.oecd.org" target="_blank">Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development</a> (OECD)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/https://portal.ssl.wipo.int/PT/http://ec.europa.eu/sport/index_en.htm" target="_blank">European Commission</a> (EC)</li> <li>Jamaica IP Office: Brochure on Sports and IP <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/http://www.jipo.gov.jm/sites/default/files/PDF_Files/JIPO_IP_and_Sports.pdf" target="_blank"><img src="/web/20180721024042im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/images/icon/new/pdf.gif" alt="PDF, Jamaica brochure on sport" border="0"/></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  </div> <div id="tools"><h4 class="d-hide t-hide">Tools</h4> <ul><li><a class="tools__link" href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/">Media</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="/web/20180721024042/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/">Meetings</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://www3.wipo.int/contact/en/">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a class="tools__link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180721024042/https://www3.wipo.int/myaccount/en/">My Account</a></li><li class="dropdown language-switcher"><label class="tools__link dropdown-toggle" for="dropdown__toggle" href="#"> English <strong class="caret"></strong></label> <input name="dropdown__toggle" id="dropdown__toggle" type="checkbox"><ul class="dropdown-menu"><li><a 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