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Sports and Intellectual Property
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Intellectual Property (IP) law has a vast domain, and that even stretches to include the world of sports.
While at first this may seem strange, you only need to think for a moment about all of the creative aspects that go into sports. There’s actually a great deal of protectable intellectual property in many different areas.
To go over a few of the ways that intellectual property matters in sports, we’ll touch upon four of the most notable areas: technology, branding, design and licenses/sponsorships.
Technology
Sports technologists are constantly developing better sports equipment with creative and innovative designs and concepts to enhance performance and make the products safer, better and more effective.
From swimsuits to tennis rackets, there is always something that can be improved with cutting-edge ideas that qualify for IP protection, spurring inventors to learn how to patent an idea and ensure the rights to their ingenuity.
As long as the idea that a technologist introduces is truly novel and revolutionary, it is just as eligible for a patent as inventions in other fields.
Previous innovations that were rewarded with patents include:
- Progressive replacement and upgrades of materials (wood/rubber/twine to complex materials with alloys and polymers)
- Sleeker surfboards
- More efficient and comfortable gloves for goalkeepers
- Aquatic wheelchairs
- Sports drinks and supplements
Having patents as such a significant part of athletics is one of the incentives for creative minds to continuously improve equipment and make for a better, more efficient performance by competitive players.
Branding
While patents are one of the more intense and official aspects of intellectual property, other forms of protection like trademarks for elements of brandings are also applicable to the world of sports.
J.D. Houvener, a New York patent attorney, stresses the importance of IP law outside of patents:
“While I’m obviously an advocate for patents and find that to be one of the most exciting parts of entrepreneurship, I also can’t emphasize the importance of other IP law enough. Trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets are all major parts of protecting your brand and creative property, so they deserve some attention as well.”
Brands create value for a particular business and help consumers distinguish between products based on reputation and recognition. Successful branding can lead to customer loyalty and even premium pricing, especially in terms of sponsorship deals and merchandising.
Some famous examples of branding in the sports industry include:
- Recognized names like “Wilson” or “Sketchers”
- Recognized symbols like the Nike swoosh or the Adidas stripes
- Recognized organizations like the NBA in the U.S. or Manchester United in the U.K.
- Recognized sponsors at major events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games
- Recognized nicknames/poses/slogans of famous athletes like Usain Bolt’s “to di world”
Just like in any other industry, trademarks can help athletes, sports organizations and athletic companies protect what makes their brand unique and recognizable.
Design
Much like with branding, there is also a heavy importance on protecting original design ideas in the world of sports.
Design in athletics can range from a variety of different images and aesthetics that impact the appearance and style of things like shoes, bags, swimsuits and more. The attractive and appealing aspects of sportswear and gear are just as important as other areas of fashion and equipment, particularly when it comes to commercial value.
It all boils down to competition, much like the rest of the global marketplace. A product with a sleek and attractive design will be more marketable than a product of equal function and quality that is less exciting or appealing.
For this reason, companies race to claim and invest in new and creative designs that mirror trends in consumer taste and interest so that they can obtain intellectual property rights over them.
Plus, aside from aesthetic purposes, designs can also play a role in enhancing performance. Lighter, more durable and more comfortable designs and products will win consumers over when they make their decisions, and having a right to those successful designs makes an enormous difference in sales and profit.
Licenses & Sponsorships
Lastly, sports organizations can significantly boost income potential through licensing patents, trademarks and copyrights while still maintaining overall ownership.
Ultimately, this means the original owner of the protection still has claim to that patent, trademark or copyright, but that they sold the rights to another party, giving them permission to produce the idea in exchange for a price.
A trademark license defines the legal relationship between the trademark owner and a producer. The licensee will manufacture and distribute the product with the trademarked concept (such as a name or logo) while the licensor will oversee product quality to uphold the trademark’s reputation.
A technology license is a similar concept that pertains more to equipment-related ideas. Companies who license out their technologies can enjoy a boost in income from wider production and distribution while companies who license in can produce and sell the latest equipment development and maintain competitive drive.
Sponsorship gives a marketing opportunity to companies hoping to capitalize off major sporting events like FIFA World Cup. Sponsors typically gain the rights to brand association, media exposure and other perks depending on their level of sponsorship and the event in question.
In Summary
When most people think of sports, they likely think of the players and the game before anything else. That said, there are still many other areas that are crucial parts of the athletic industry, and intellectual property is a big deal to those areas.
With innovative technology for gear and equipment, branding for teams and companies, original designs for new materials and licenses/sponsorships, the need for IP law is never-ending.
For more great content on sports and gaming, be sure to keep up with our other regular postings!
Article written by: Katherine Lutz. A graduate of Florida State University, Katherine (Tori) Lutz is a Florida native currently living in Brooklyn, New York. Since graduating, she has made a career out of freelance work and published through a variety of outlets in many industries.
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Sports and Intellectual Property

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Enhanced Regional Presence: The Partnership Between SYNOT Games and BET.bg
SYNOT Games, a leading content provider in the iGaming industry, has announced a strategic partnership with BET.bg, one of the foremost online casinos in Bulgaria. This collaboration, made possible through the EGT aggregator platform, marks another key milestone in SYNOT Games’ continued expansion across the Balkan region.
As a recognized leader in Bulgaria’s competitive gaming landscape, BET.bg strengthens its offerings by incorporating SYNOT Games’ comprehensive portfolio of online slot titles. The integration provides a diverse selection of high-quality games to BET.bg’s players, including popular titles such as Aztec Jaguar Megaways, Legends of the Colosseum, and Crazy Free Fruits.
The partnership serves several strategic objectives for the SYNOT Games. First and foremost, it supports the company’s long-term vision of establishing a robust presence across the Balkans by aligning with trusted and high-performing regional operators. The collaboration with BET.bg enables SYNOT Games to tap into a loyal player base in Bulgaria, driving higher brand recognition and user engagement. Furthermore, it accelerates the company’s mission to diversify its distribution channels and leverage aggregators like EGT to maximize reach and operational efficiency.
“We’re excited to team up with BET.bg, a respected and trusted operator that holds a great position in Bulgaria,” said Martin Krajčí, Chief Commercial Officer at SYNOT Games.
“With the amazing support of EGT’s aggregation platform, we’ve been able to share our portfolio with a wider audience. This partnership highlights our strategic focus on the beautiful Balkan region and showcases our commitment to delivering quality content that truly meets the needs of local players‘ preferences,” she continued.
BET.bg team added: “We’re always on the lookout for fresh ways to enhance our offerings and bring top-notch entertainment to our users. By teaming up with SYNOT Games, we can do just that! Their diverse and engaging portfolio beautifully complements our existing lineup, and we can’t wait to see how our players enjoy these high-performing titles.”
The launch of SYNOT Games’ content on BET.bg continues the provider’s momentum in regulated markets, supported by a steady rollout of new titles and proven performers tailored to diverse player bases. The move exemplifies SYNOT Games‘ strategy of forming long-term partnerships that ensure content visibility and align with partners’ growth ambitions in key European markets.
The post Enhanced Regional Presence: The Partnership Between SYNOT Games and BET.bg appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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SOFTSWISS Heads to SiGMA Asia 2025
SOFTSWISS, a global tech expert with over 15 years of iGaming experience, will participate in SiGMA Asia 2025, which takes place from 1 to 4 June in Manila, the Philippines. The event is set to welcome 20,000 delegates, including operators, affiliates, regulators, and top decision-makers.
With over 450 exhibitors, SiGMA Asia is a promising platform for companies exploring business opportunities across the diverse and fast-growing Asian iGaming landscape.
The Asian iGaming market presents a compelling mix of potential and complexity. According to the SOFTSWISS iGaming Trends Report 2025, countries like the Philippines and India are currently undergoing regulatory shifts and technological expansion.
The Philippines market is projected to reach an annual growth rate of 9.23% by 2033. The region is now emerging as Asia’s second-largest gaming hub, focused on strengthening its domestic market and expanding integrated resorts. India, one of the largest digital markets with over 750 million internet users, is also witnessing rapid growth in the iGaming sector, with revenue projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% through 2032.
These developments create substantial opportunities for the industry and a demand for experienced tech providers like SOFTSWISS, which can offer highly localised, scalable solutions that meet evolving market requirements.
Olga Resiga, Chief Business Development Officer at SOFTSWISS, shares: “Asia is one of the most exciting and diverse regions for iGaming today. As digital engagement and the industry itself grow, operators are looking for partners that can deliver reliable, localised, and scalable solutions. SOFTSWISS is ready to support this transformation with technology that will help operators build strong and compliant iGaming projects in the region.”
The SOFTSWISS team will be available at Stand 2116 to present its ecosystem of solutions and share market insights with potential partners and clients.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 27,800 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Heads to SiGMA Asia 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts
- Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, ahead of SBC Americas forecasts that the regulated online gambling market in the Americas to be worth US$32.5bn by 2026, compared to US$15.6bn in 2022, more than doubling in size in a period of four years. This growth rate is more than double the equivalent in Europe, with the European regulated online gambling market projected to be worth €37.3bn in 2026, up from just under €30bn in 2022.
By 2028, regulated online gambling markets in the U.S., Canada and Latin American countries are expected to generate US$56.3bn, drawing level with Europe or potentially surpassing it depending on currency fluctuations.
“Prior to 2018, the regulated online gambling market was highly euro-centric but legalization of sports betting and iGaming in various U.S. states as well as the major markets of Ontario and Brazil has coincided with stricter regulations in European countries that has restricted growth in a number of cases,” said James Kilsby, Chief Analyst, Vixio.
Vixio will be showcasing its data forecasting and regulatory intelligence solutions in more detail at the SBC Summit Americas 2026 at stand B175, with additional information in its Latin America Online Outlook report, available at vixio.com/research/latin-america-outlook-2025.
Vixio forecasts that regulated online GGR in North and Latin America will grow at a compound annual rate of 20.3 percent from US$22.3bn in 2023 to US$56.3bn by 2028, drawing level with regulated European market.
Providing further insight into one of the most closely watched online gambling markets globally, Kilsby, Vixio’s award-winning analyst, will be speaking during a panel session titled “Brazil 2025: A Surge in Licensing and Lessons So Far.” James was recently recognized as a Silver Stevie® Award Winner for Thought Leader of the Year in the 2025 American Business Awards®. The panel will take place on Wednesday, May 14, at 11 a.m. in conference room four.
In addition, Vixio has been shortlisted for Compliance Solution of the Year at the 2025 SBC Awards, which will be announced on the second day of the conference.
Visit us at stand B175 at SBC Summit Americas to learn more about how Vixio can help your business navigate the regulatory challenges of the gaming industry.
For more information, or to book a meeting with a Vixio representative at SBC Americas, visit vixio.com.
The post Americas Online Gambling Market To Soon Eclipse Europe’s, Finds Vixio Forecasts appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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