World Intellectual Property Day

In the esports ecosystem, different stakeholders participate and own IP rights , offering unique opportunities to form commercial relationships around and monetize work in this space. Some of these key right holders are listed below.   To learn more explore the  WIPO Guidelines for esports players .

  Behind the scenes, developers not only invest in maintaining video games and platforms but also in continuously creating new titles that engage players and fans around the world. Video game developers and publishers are responsible for creating video games and therefore own the rights over the different game elements, including game code, visual elements, characters, storylines, music, game title, and logos. As rights-holders, they authorize the uses of video games in tournaments , as well as the use of the video game characters and trademarks in other products, advertisements, and events.  To learn more explore the  WIPO Guidelines for esports players .

Esports players are often frequent streamers with thousands of followers online. To commercially exploit their reputation and engage with their fanbase, professional players seek IP protection in addition to relying on their personality rights. The content streamed on their online channels, other types of brands and logos associated with them, and exclusive in-game or promotional items are some of the key ways players leverage their IP.  To learn more explore the  WIPO Guidelines for esports players .

Similarly, esports teams develop their own IP portfolios , which may be combined with those of their rostered players depending on the terms of their agreements. Partnerships with brands, licensing of team and player identities, and hosting exclusive events are some of the ways this IP becomes essential for controlling how others associate with the team and its players. To learn more explore the  WIPO Guidelines for esports players .

Esports competitions have expanded to television, but online streaming remains the primary way fans follow major tournaments. Broadcasting and streaming these events require licensing from the competition organizer , who must ensure they hold all necessary rights—including those from the video game publisher, teams, and players. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming have revolutionized how esports content reaches audiences, offering infrastructure for live streaming, video-on-demand, and social engagement. These platforms operate under specific terms of service that cover copyright, monetization, and content restrictions. Understanding these platform-specific policies is essential to successfully distribute esports content. To learn more explore the WIPO Guidelines for esports players .