World Intellectual Property Day

This World IP Day , athletes, creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide show how IP rights keep the world of sports thriving . Let their stories inspire your own passion for sports and innovation! "Securing IP protection is critical for funding as it demonstrates novelty and potential impact. Every investor, including charitable foundations and government organizations, wants to know what impact their investment will have on the target population." Read the article: "Paralympian Rory Cooper drives innovation for people with disabilities" “The Historical African Martial Arts Association (HAMAA) is a community of martial artists, instructors, scholars, and artisans working to share information, connect, and learn about the history and culture of martial arts in Africa and the African diaspora.” Read the article: "HAMAA at the Forefront of Historical Martial Arts Protection" “Players and athletes are far more IP savvy today, and are increasingly bre...

Sports show intellectual property (IP) in action. Patents encourage technological advances that result in better sporting equipment. Trademarks, brands and designs contribute to the distinct identity of events, teams and their gear. Copyright-related rights generate the revenues needed for broadcasters to invest in the costly undertaking of broadcasting sports events to fans worldwide. IP rights are the basis of licensing and merchandising agreements that earn revenues to support the development of the sports industry. PUBLICATION:  Reference Guide to Sustaining Sport and its Development through IP Rights A guide to the development of national strategies for sports and its development through IP. Read the full publication.

By acquiring IP rights and using them strategically, sports organizations and other rights owners can protect and increase their income-generating potential. Learn more About Sports Sponsorships

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 .

Combatting illegal sports piracy to protect the athletes we love and to keep fans safe.  About Tackling Illegal Sports Streams

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 .

Copyright and related rights, particularly those relating to broadcasting organizations, underpin the relationship between sports and television and other media. Learn more About Copyright and Broadcasting Rights in Sports

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 .

In every corner of the world, esports are becoming one of the most profitable IP-driven industries. These real-life stories showcase how the strategic use of IP bolsters esports. Team Liquid Esports Sponsorship Deal with Marvel Studios Riot Games Gaming and Music: Warner Music Group’s Esports Partnership Model Copyright in Esports – How Isurus Stays Ahead of the Game

World IP Day emphasizes the importance of a balanced IP system to recognize and reward inventors and creators for their work and ensure that society benefits from their creativity and ingenuity. IP rights enable researchers, inventors, businesses, designers, artists and others to legally protect their innovative and creative outputs and secure an economic return from them.