World Intellectual Property Day

Broadcasting and distribution rights represent one of the most valuable commercial assets in the esports ecosystem. These IP rights govern how competitive gaming content is shared with audiences worldwide, determining who can stream or broadcast competitions , on which platforms, and under what conditions. As viewership continues to grow, media rights create new revenue opportunities for publishers, tournament organizers and teams.

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 .