World Intellectual Property Day

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 .

The competitive gaming ecosystem is fundamentally built on IP rights and the licensing agreements that govern their use. These contracts establish the legal framework through which tournament organizers, leagues, and players obtain permission from video game developers and publishers to host competitions, broadcast or stream gameplay, and use game assets. Video games are not only the result of “new” original content but may also include pre-existing content such as music, famous comic book characters, or even elements from movies that are licensed for inclusion. Examples include Blur’s Song 2, which became iconic in the FIFA EA Sports game launched in 1998, and the recent announcement of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a partnership between LEGO, Warner Bros., and TT Games Publishing. Licenses for community tournaments and professional leagues Small-scale and community tournament organizers must secure appropriate licenses from game publishers. Many publishers provide standar...