Mexico: Sports And IP: The Case Of The Fifa 2010 World Cup

Undoubtedly, the FIFA^R Soccer Football World Cup 2010^R in South Africa was surely the event with the most audience in the year 2010. Besides the presence of millions of fans from all over the world who congregated there to enjoy the tournament, this event was broadcasted all over the world through TV, radio and the Internet, achieving therefrom a really astonishing number of audience. We are talking about an unprecedented media-success phenomenon.

However, despite the enormous and special interest of people in every country, it is a sad truth that enjoying the broadcasting of the whole event was not for everybody. In Mexico, for example, the two most important TV networks broadcasted only 30 matches while the total 64 matches were broadcasted only in cable TV.

Of course, the broadcasting of the matches and of any related element is not for free. The broadcaster needs the previous consent and authorization of the owner of the broadcasting rights as a compulsory requisite.

In this case, the related IP rights namely the copyrights, the broadcasting rights on all of the matches, the registered trademarks on the teams, the players, the official logos, the event and even on the official trophy and the mascot belong exclusively to FIFA^R (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) which, in strict accordance with its own right, granted and signed multiple licensing agreements worldwide with every TV network interested to broadcast the images of the FIFA World Cup^R through different channels such as TV, radio, the Internet and mobile devices.

For some people the granting of these licences might seem as a monopolistic behavior. However, this is just one of numerous examples of the free market, and of the selling and buying of products and services.

FIFA^R, as owner of these multiple IP rights, has a very special interest in preserving them. For that reason, it has taken the role of official sponsor of the World Cup^R. This action confers FIFA^R with a continuous and relevant presence in every match, and in every related circumstance.

As well, it has taken all the necessary measures to avoid any relationship of a third party trademark with the concept of "FIFA World Cup^R". It would be very useful to remember the case of the female fans of the dutch team, who were cheering their favorite team dressed with what FIFA^R interpreted as a promotional outfit for a very famous dutch beer.

Another fact worthy to comment is that FIFA^R put its creativity to work during the development of the World Cup^R This resulted in new alternatives to make the broadcast of the Cup reach everybody. Just to mention, it allowed the public display of the matches in parks, avenues, and public squares, so every person who did not have access to cable TV could watch, share, and cheer the favorite team.

In conclusion, FIFA^R, as official organizer of the World Cup^R, and as legitimate owner of all the IP rights related with the championship, defends and obtains respect from every other parties, which might seem excessive to some people, but that works beautifully to FIFA^R.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.