In collaboration with the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), WIPO will commemorate World IP Day 2026 — themed IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate — with a webinar for judges discussing the role of IP in the world of sport through the lens of influential copyright, patent, and trademark judgments. The webinar will also touch upon emerging issues in sports, namely the impact of artificial intelligence.
Sports fans often vicariously enjoy the thrill of live games, matches, and races through TV broadcasts and streaming, commonly played in public bars, restaurants, and sports stores. In Tellytrack v. Marshalls World of Sport (971/2018), the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa considered whether horse racing footage publicly shown in betting shops constituted an unprotectable broadcast of a live event or a cinematographic film protected by copyright. The case illustrates the difference between broadcast rights and copyright and highlights the role of licensing, a major source of revenue in sport.
Licensing issues also arise in sports branding. Athletes, teams, and events use trademarks to protect their names, logos, slogans, mascots, and personal brands. The breadth of such protection, in relation specifically to the Tour de France trademark, was addressed by the General Court of the European Union in Société du Tour de France v. EUIPO FitX (TOUR DE X), Case T-604/22. This case offers insights into how courts analyze the distinctive character of a mark, as well as the likelihood of confusion and degree of similarity between marks.
Patents also play an important role in sports, protecting the technology behind performance systems, equipment, and on-the-field innovations that affect how sports are played, judged, and experienced. This is illustrated by ongoing Brazilian state and federal litigation, which has tackled issues of patentability and alleged infringement of a disappearing foam spray used to mark the free kick line in football matches.
In addition to these case examples, two rapidly evolving topics will be discussed. First, artificial intelligence has driven meaningful innovation in athlete training and the way sports are played, officiated, and experienced by fans – while also highlighting important considerations around personal data privacy and the right of publicity. Second, the speakers will discuss the role of women in sports, from their personal perspective.
Join the next WIPO Webinar for Judges, specially organized in collaboration with IAWJ, to learn from the insights and experiences of Krystyna KOWALIK-BAŃCZYK (President, Third Chamber, General Court of the European Union, Luxembourg), Mahube MOLEMELA (President, Supreme Court of Appeal, Bloemfontein, South Africa), Caroline SOMESOM TAUK (Judge, Regional Federal Court of the Second Region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and Seagull Haiyan SONG (International Partner, King & Wood, Beijing, China).
Moderator: Seagull Haiyan SONG
International Partner, King & Wood, Beijing, China
Krystyna KOWALIK-BAŃCZYK
President, Third Chamber, General Court of the European Union, Luxembourg
Mahube MOLEMELA
President, Supreme Court of Appeal, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Caroline SOMESOM TAUK
Judge, Regional Federal Court of the Second Region, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The webinar will be held on April 23, 2026 (13.00 – 14.30 CEST, find your local time), in English, with simultaneous machine interpretation in dozens of languages.
Participation is open to all who register. Presentations, cases, and a recording will be shared with registrants after the webinar. For any questions, contact the IAWJ or the WIPO Judicial Institute.