Ip & the business of sports management

1. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
&
THE BUSINESS OF
SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Anju Srinivasan

2. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
INTRODUCTION
Sports are an integral
part of our social being. It
has always brought
together entertainment,
culture and monetary
business. Sporting
activities have gained
commercial importance
through franchising,
advertising and brand
building .

3. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
Innovation and creativity are the key drivers in
the world of sports. In every sporting field,
inventors and creators are working behind the
scenes to push boundaries, creating new
opportunities for enjoyment and for athletes to
better their performance.
The organizers of popular games such as FIFA
(football), NBA (basketball), PGA (golf) and IPL
(cricket) organize and manage the event in
such a manner that they are able to exploit the
marketing potential that the events offer.

4. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
EXAMPLE
• Patents protect the
technology used to develop
the shoe.
• Designs protect the look of
the shoe.
• Trademarks distinguish the
shoe from similar products
and protect the reputation
of the shoe as well as that
of the company making it.
• Copyrights protect any
artwork and audio visual
creations used to publicize
the shoe.

5. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE
With the business angle of sports growing by
the day, dormant intellectual property rights
vesting in almost every component of the sports
industry are being tapped into and capitalized.
The Government of India is trying to streamline
the Industry, keeping every party interest in
mind including the players, teams, sponsors and
the public at large, through the introduction of
the sports Development Bill 2013, which is soon
likely to become a reality and constructively aid
in the business of sports management.

6. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
The recent success of the FORMULA ONE RACE
organized in India shows the vast commercial
interest generated in the corporate world with
respect to branding and event management.
The organization and smooth execution of a
race of such international standard in India for
the very first time has brought the nation into a
select league, putting further focus on the sports
law and IP rights which can be used to create
branding leading to immense value generation.

7. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
ROLE OF IP
On creation of any property, protection of the
same is the foremost aspect that one would look
at. IP laws are resorted to, in order to safeguard
the business interests of sports. IP is used as an
umbrella term to describe properties created by
human intellect and includes patents,
trademarks, copyrights, designs and so on.

8. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
An EcOnOmIc & EmPLOymEnt
EngInE
Off the field, on a commercial level, sportsmen
and sports associations get into endorsements,
advertisements branding, merchandising,
licensing, sponsorship and other similar
activities. The protection of all the creative
elements becomes essential. Intangible assets
such as the team names along with their colorful
logos, emblems and taglines hold high
commercial value and are significant
components of branding and merchandising
activities and their legal protection is
necessitated to prevent third party
infringements.

9. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
tRADEmARKS In ActIOn
Trademark is a distinctive sign or an indicator
representing a trade or business. Protecting a
trademark assumes high importance to
safeguard commercial interests. Team names
and symbols create a level of association with
the public and fan following helping the
popularity ratings of the teams or sports club.
This will eventually convert into monetary profits
through advertisements, brand ambassadors,
goodwill and reputation of the sponsors.
Trademark protection can be availed by
registering the brand name or logo under the
Trademarks Act 1999.

10. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
LIgHtS, cAmERA, cOPyRIgHt
Copyright law protects the expression of ideas and
not ideas in itself. In the process of sporting events
the maximum amount of IP that is created is
copyright. Copyright may vest in the artwork
connected to the logos and trademarks,
promotions, slogans, images of player.
There is no mandatory rule to register copyrights.
However, in order to claim remedies under the
Act, it is beneficial to register the copyright, as
held in Dhiraj Dharamdas Dewani v M/s Sonal Info
Systems Pvt Ltd.

11. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
DOMAIN NAMES
Domain names are used as a business identifier.
They not only serve as an address for internet
communication but also identify the specific
internet site. In relation to sporting, enormous
information is being disseminated and events get
broadcasted through the internet which has
acquired a huge market value in branding. Every
sports club has its own website through which
lot of activities are carried out. The best way of
availing protection of a domain name in India s
to register the same as a trademark.

12. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
SPORT TECH: PATENTS
Patents protect inventions that are new,
innovative and capable of finding industrial
application. Patents are not only granted to
products but also granted to processes of
achieving a result. There are a number of sports
methods for which patent protection is being
sought. A player, team or league gains significant
benefits from exclusive control over a technique
that provides a competitive advantage. Patent
protection safeguards against third party
infringements as well as enhances commercial
interests. Patent rights are granted for 20 years in
India and most other countries.

13. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
PERSONALITY RIGHTS
It is the right to control the commercial
exploitation of one’s name, image, likeness or
any aspect of one’s personal identity. Character
merchandising is the marketing of the name or
image of a celebrity’s persona for monetary gain,
capitalizing on fame. Mere association of the
name of a team, their logo or a team player,
could offer unprecedented mileage to the person
or entity using such name or logo.

14. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
A clear line of distinction should be drawn
between the image of the sportsman as a team
player and as an individual. This has been clarified
by the Delhi High Court in ICC Development Ltd v.
Arvee Enterprises and An. The court held that the
rights of publicity vests in an individual and he
alone is entitled to profit from it. Example, if an
entity was to use Sachin Tendulkars name or
persona in connection with the World Cup without
his authorization, they would have a valid and
enforceable cause of action.

15. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
AMBUSH MARKETING
This is one of the most important aspects of IPR in
sports. Ambush marketing refers to companies
promoting their brands or products by associating
them with a team, league or event, without paying
for the privilege.
A fine example of this is the famous controversy
between Coca Cola and Pepsi over the official
status of the cola for the World Cup Cricket
Tournament of 1996-97.

16. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
CONCLUSION
Sports events generate deep rooted emotional
response from the public. Legal contractual
agreements must be in place protecting all forms
of IP created in sporting events, teams, individual
players, to protect all the stake holders and their
financial interests. There are various forms of
revenue generation through the sports industry
and it’s important for the government to promote
its national sports and culture so as to raise its
International standards, paving India’s way
forward into the exclusive league of developed
countries across the world.

17. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
THANK YOU

18. CHENNAI
3rd Floor, ‘Creative Enclave’,
148-150, Luz Church Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai - 600 004.
Tel: +91 - 44 - 2498 4821
BANGALORE
Suite 920, Level 9,
Raheja Towers,
26-27, M G Road,
Bangalore - 560 001.
Tel: +91 - 80 - 6546 2400
COIMBATORE
#1533, Trichy Road,
Coimbatore – 641018.
Tel: +91 - 422 - 6552921
HYDERABAD
Suite 132 & 133,
Level 1, Midtown,
Road No 1, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500034.
Tel: +91 - 40 - 6050 6009
EMAIL
info@altacit.com
WEBSITE
www.altacit.com
DISCLAIMER
Any copyrighted material in this presentation is
used in fair use for the purpose of study, review or
critical analysis only, and will be removed at the
request of the copyright owner(s).