The world is once again captivated by football as the latest edition of the prestigious international tournament held every four years kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As the most celebrated international football competition on the planet, this global championship serves not only as a stage for the world’s best national teams but also as one of the largest economic events in sports, involving global sponsors, multi-billion-dollar broadcasting rights, and the sale of official merchandise to billions of fans worldwide.
Behind the excitement on the pitch, however, lies a wide range of Intellectual Property (IP) rights that play a crucial role in protecting and enhancing the commercial value of the football industry. Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents, Industrial Designs, Trade Secrets, Domain Names, and Licensing Agreements all contribute to generating significant economic benefits for organizers, sponsors, clubs, and businesses.
As the world’s most popular sport, football is about much more than goals and trophies. Behind every team logo, official mascot, match broadcast, jersey, and technological innovation used during matches, there is Intellectual Property protection helping sustain the global sports industry. Below are some of the most common forms of Intellectual Property found in the world of football.
Trademarks
Every football competition and tournament has a name that carries substantial commercial value. Competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier League (EPL), and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions have become synonymous with elite-level football and global entertainment. Importantly, these names are registered trademarks and cannot be freely used by unauthorized parties.
For example, a business cannot legally manufacture and sell shirts bearing the UEFA Champions League logo without obtaining permission from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Trademark protection in football extends far beyond competition names. Many famous footballers have also registered personal brands as trademarks. Examples include Cristiano Ronaldo’s “CR7,” “Leo Messi,” and even certain signature celebration poses associated with top players.
Patents
When discussing innovation in modern football, one technology immediately comes to mind: the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.
VAR has significantly improved the accuracy of officiating decisions by allowing referees to review incidents using multiple camera angles. The technology, patented by Hawk-Eye Innovations (a Sony company), was first introduced on football’s biggest international stage during the 2018 global championship in Russia.
Using VAR, match officials can quickly determine whether a goal should stand, whether a player was offside, or whether other reviewable incidents occurred during play.
As the owner of the patented technology, Hawk-Eye licenses its system to football governing bodies and professional leagues around the world. Today, the technology is used in dozens of countries, although its substantial operational costs mean that not every league can afford to implement it.
Patents can also be found in football equipment itself. Almost every edition of the global football championship introduces a newly developed match ball incorporating advanced technology designed to improve performance, accuracy, and consistency.
Industrial Designs
Just like footballs, football boots may incorporate patent-protected innovations. However, even where patents do not apply, the visual appearance of football equipment and apparel is often protected through Industrial Design rights.
Jerseys are among the most valuable commercial assets of football clubs and national teams. For passionate supporters, wearing an official jersey while watching a match—or even during everyday activities—is a symbol of loyalty and pride.
Unfortunately, jerseys are also among the most frequently counterfeited products in the sports industry. Purchasing genuine merchandise not only ensures better quality but also guarantees that revenue reaches the clubs and organizations being supported.
Copyrights
Match footage, promotional materials, photographs, graphics, and other football-related content are generally protected by Copyright.
Different leagues and competitions own the copyrights to their respective broadcasts and media content. These rights are typically licensed to broadcasters in different territories through highly competitive bidding processes.
Because broadcasters invest substantial amounts to secure exclusive rights, they are highly protective of their content. Unauthorized streaming, rebroadcasting, or distribution of copyrighted football content may result in legal action and significant financial penalties.
Trade Secrets
Football clubs invest heavily in maintaining confidential information that provides a competitive advantage.
Playing strategies, tactical plans, scouting reports, performance analytics, training methods, and certain medical information may all qualify as trade secrets. Teams protect this information carefully and limit access to those who need to know.
Coaches, analysts, medical personnel, and other staff members are often required to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed to competitors or the public.
Domain Names
Domain names play an important role in maintaining the online presence and marketing activities of football organizations.
Official websites associated with governing bodies, leagues, and tournaments are registered not only to facilitate communication with fans but also to prevent cybersquatting and trademark abuse.
These websites often provide multilingual content, ensuring that supporters, media organizations, and stakeholders worldwide have access to official news, match information, and commercial offerings.
Licensing Agreements
Licensing agreements are among the most significant commercial tools in the football industry.
Various forms of Intellectual Property can be licensed for the production and sale of merchandise, mobile applications, video games, collectibles, and numerous other products.
For example, video game developers seeking to include authentic club names, logos, player likenesses, and competition branding must obtain licenses from the relevant rights holders and often pay substantial royalty fees.
Intellectual Property: The Financial Engine Behind Football
Modern football would not be the global industry it is today without Intellectual Property.
From Trademarks and Copyrights to Patents, Industrial Designs, Trade Secrets, Domain Names, and Licensing Agreements, IP rights serve as the financial engine that powers the sport. They create revenue streams, encourage innovation, protect brand value, and enable stakeholders to commercialize their investments on a global scale.
Whether you are organizing a sporting event, managing a football club, developing sports-related products, or building a brand within the sports industry, Intellectual Property should never be overlooked. Properly protecting and leveraging IP assets can transform passion for sport into sustainable commercial success.
Should you need more information about the various forms of Intellectual Property in football, feel free to contact us through the channels below and get your FREE 15-minute consultation:
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About AFFA:
Established in 1999, AFFA Intellectual Property Rights is an Indonesia-based boutique IP law firm serving international brands and innovators, offering full-service support—from prosecution and licensing to enforcement and commercialization—in Indonesia’s dynamic IP landscape. Our firm is widely recognized for its excellence, with accolades including “Best Boutique Law Firm in Indonesia” and “IP Enforcement Firm” at the Indonesia Law Firm Awards 2025 by Asia Business Law Journal, as well as being listed as a “Recommended Firm 2024 — Indonesia” by WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals. For more information, please visit: www.affa.co.id.
