Intellectual Property and Sports in India

In celebration of World Intellectual Property Day and in line with this year's theme of sport, we are delighted to present this blog, which delves into the pivotal role of intellectual property protection within one of the world's most vibrant and influential industries.

Every year on 26 April, World Intellectual Property Day highlights the importance of innovation and creativity across different sectors. In 2026, the spotlight is on the relationship between intellectual property and sports, recognizing how IP rights support not only athletes and sporting organizations, but also the wider commercial ecosystem surrounding modern sport.

In 2025, India's sports industry achieved a significant milestone by surpassing the 2 billion USD mark for the first time. It reached approximately 18,864 crore INR, marking a substantial year-on-year growth of 13.4% compared to 2024. This sustained growth demonstrates the Indian sports market's increasing maturity and commercial strength, driven by rising investment in sponsorships, media rights and athlete endorsements. Over the last four years, the industry has almost doubled in size, highlighting the significant economic impact of sport in India. Cricket remains by far the most dominant and commercially relevant sport, accounting for around 89% of total industry revenues in 2025.

Whether you are an athlete, a club, a sponsor, or simply a spectator, sports are deeply connected to intellectual property. In fact, much of the economic and commercial success of the sports industry is built upon their intellectual property assets. From broadcasting rights and sponsorship agreements to merchandising and technological innovation, intellectual property forms a significant source of revenue for the sector and contributes directly to its global growth and sustainability.

In order to better understand how intellectual property operates in practice; it is useful to look at some of the key assets involved in sports. The equipment used by athletes, such as balls, rackets, protective gear, Formula 1 cars, and even specialized sportswear, may be protected by patents when they incorporate new technologies or innovative technical solutions. In India, for example, patent protection is governed by the Patents Act, 1970, which safeguards inventions capable of industrial application and technological advancement.

Beyond patents, many other areas of sport are protected through different branches of intellectual property law.  The names, logos, and branding of teams, clubs, and sporting events can be protected as trademarks under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. These rights are essential in preserving brand identity, commercial reputation, and consumer recognition within an increasingly competitive market.

Likewise, the appearance and aesthetic features of sports equipment, footwear, and apparel may be protected under the Designs Act, 2000, which grants protection to the appearance of the product. This is particularly relevant in industries where visual identity and product design play a key commercial role.

Copyright protection also occupies a central position in the sports industry. Under the Copyright Act, 1957, recorded broadcasts, visual footage, commentaries, photographs, and other audiovisual content related to sporting events are protected as copyright works and broadcaster’s rights. Given the enormous value of media and broadcasting agreements in modern sport, these protections are fundamental to ensuring that organizers, broadcasters, and creators can benefit from and control the exploitation of their content.

Furthermore, an important aspect to understand is that sports do not only benefit the athletes, clubs, organizers, and businesses directly involved in the industry, but also contribute significantly to the economic development of a country. Major sporting events often act as catalysts for investment, tourism, infrastructure development, international visibility, and commercial growth.

A clear example of this growth can be seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which has become one of the most commercially successful and globally recognized sporting competitions in the world. The IPL represents far more than a cricket tournament; it showcases India’s increasing strength in branding, media rights, event management, digital broadcasting, sponsorship, and international commercial engagement.

Indeed, the organization of major sporting events requires substantial financial investment and large-scale logistical coordination. However, these investments are often recoverable through the considerable economic activity generated by the sports industry. As highlighted throughout the previous sections, intellectual property plays a central role in enabling this commercial return.

One of the primary revenue streams derives from media and broadcasting rights. Sporting events generate enormous value through the licensing of live broadcasts, highlights, commentaries, and digital streaming rights, all of which are protected under copyright and related rights legislation. Broadcasters and media companies acquire exclusive licenses to transmit matches and competitions, making broadcasting rights one of the most valuable commercial assets within modern sport. A significant example of the growing value of broadcasting and media rights within the Indian sports industry can be seen in the 2024 joint venture between Reliance Industries, Viacom18, and The Walt Disney Company.

In addition, merchandising represents another key pillar of the sports industry. Official t-shirts, apparel, accessories, collectibles, and branded products are highly valuable assets, particularly among fans and supporters of teams, clubs, and sporting franchises. The protection of trademarks and designs is therefore essential to preserve the exclusivity and commercial value of these products.

Sponsorship agreements and naming rights also constitute significant sources of revenue. Sports provide brands from a wide range of industries with a unique opportunity to connect with large and highly engaged audiences. Through sponsorships and commercial collaborations, companies are able to strengthen brand visibility, increase consumer engagement, and associate themselves with the reputation, values, and popularity of sporting events, athletes, and clubs.

Having established the enormous commercial value generated through intellectual property in sports, it is equally important to understand the necessity of protecting these assets, particularly in jurisdictions such as India. The greater the commercial investment and public exposure surrounding sports, the greater the risk of unauthorized exploitation, infringement, and unfair commercial practices.

One common example is ambush marketing, where companies attempt to associate themselves with a sporting event without being official sponsors. In such cases, businesses that have no legitimate commercial relationship with the event may still invest heavily in advertising campaigns designed to create the impression of affiliation, thereby taking unfair advantage of the event’s reputation and visibility.

In this context, securing proper intellectual property protection becomes essential, as it enables rights holders to take legal action against unauthorized uses and reputational exploitation. In India, rights holders have access to various enforcement mechanisms, including take-down procedures, court actions, and anti-counterfeiting programs. These mechanisms allow owners of trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property assets to act against infringing activities, counterfeit merchandise, illegal streaming platforms, and unauthorized commercial associations. Furthermore, by registering intellectual property rights with customs and enforcement databases, authorities may take preventive action against counterfeit or infringing goods entering the market.

Finally, businesses operating internationally should bear in mind that, even if they already enjoy protection in other jurisdictions, intellectual property rights must generally be registered in India. Patents, trademarks and designs are territorial rights, meaning foreign registrations do not automatically extend to India. Businesses should plan their filing strategies carefully well in advance of entering the Indian market, despite the fact that the registration process in India can sometimes be lengthy due to the large number of applications received by the IP registries. It is imperative that intellectual property assets within the rapidly expanding Indian sports industry are registered in a timely and proper manner in order to ensure effective protection, enforcement and commercial exploitation.