{"id":4430,"date":"2026-04-23T16:36:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T15:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/?p=4430"},"modified":"2026-04-23T16:36:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T15:36:42","slug":"world-ip-day-2026-unlocking-the-value-of-intellectual-property-in-sport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2026\/04\/23\/world-ip-day-2026-unlocking-the-value-of-intellectual-property-in-sport\/","title":{"rendered":"World IP Day 2026: Unlocking the value of intellectual property in sport"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>26 April 2026 marks World Intellectual Property Day, celebrating the importance of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation, creativity and commercial growth worldwide. This year\u2019s theme,\u00a0IP in Sport, highlights an industry where IP rights are fundamental, not just to protecting performance-related innovation, but also to monetising personality, brand and fan engagement. Here, <\/b><a style=\"font-weight: bold;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarkewillmott.com\/find-a-solicitor\/declan-goodwin\/\">Declan Goodwin<\/a>, <strong>Partner at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarkewillmott.com\/\">Clarke Willmott<\/a>, explores the value of intellectual property in sport.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From elite athletes and sports clubs to technology companies and investors, IP is now one of the most valuable assets in sport. Clarke Willmott supports clients across the sector in identifying, protecting and commercialising IP so it delivers long\u2011term strategic and financial value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sport as a brand\u2011driven industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Modern sport operates at the intersection of competition, entertainment and global commerce. Intellectual property is at the heart of this ecosystem, encompassing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Trade marks<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 protecting names, logos, slogans and visual identities;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Copyright<\/strong>\u00a0in broadcast footage, social media content, photography and software;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Design rights<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 covering sportswear, equipment and product aesthetics;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Patents<\/strong>\u00a0for technical innovation in equipment and sports technology; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confidential information and data<\/strong>, including analytics and performance insights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crucially, IP is no longer limited to teams and governing bodies. Individual athletes are increasingly sophisticated rights holders, actively managing their image and brand as commercial assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Athletes as IP owners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Luke \u201cthe Nuke\u201d Littler<\/strong>, one of the most recognisable new faces in professional darts, has recently applied for trade mark protection for his facial image, reflecting the growing commercial value of athlete likenesses in merchandise, media and endorsements, but also to help prevent AI fakes, following in the footsteps of&nbsp;<strong>Matthew McConaughey<\/strong>&nbsp;who has already done the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2025,&nbsp;<strong>Cole Palmer<\/strong>, the England and Chelsea footballer, took a broad and strategic approach to brand protection by registering trade marks covering his name, autograph, facial image, signature celebration gesture, and the phrase \u201cCold Palmer\u201d\u2014a nickname widely associated with his on\u2011pitch persona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welsh footballing legend,&nbsp;<strong>Gareth Bale<\/strong>, was a trailblazer, registering his heart goal celebration as a trade mark in 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NBA star,&nbsp;<strong>Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/strong>, has taken things further by launching his own brand and digital platform,&nbsp;<strong>77x<\/strong>, to take advantage of the multitude of commercial and fan engagement opportunities available to him personally, rather than this solely being pursued by the team he plays for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These examples show how modern athletes are thinking beyond traditional endorsement contracts, using the trade mark system to secure exclusive rights over the elements that define their public identity. Properly structured, these rights can form the foundation of licensing programmes, sponsorship deals, collaborations and long-term brand exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protecting value while reducing risk<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commercial opportunity brings risk. Inadequate protection can lead to unauthorised use, counterfeiting or disputes\u2014especially in a sector with global reach and digital exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clarke Willmott advises clients on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enforcing IP rights in the UK and internationally;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Structuring IP ownership for athletes, clubs and corporate groups;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing infringement, passing off and online brand misuse; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting investment, sponsorship and M&amp;A transactions where IP value is central.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our focus is on enabling growth while protecting reputation and long\u2011term value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting emerging talent and sports businesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From young athletes building their personal brand to startups developing sports technology, early\u2011stage rights holders often hold valuable IP without fully realising its potential. Getting IP strategy right at the outset can be critical to attracting investment, securing partners and planning future exits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clarke Willmott works closely with athletes, founders and rights holders to develop clear, scalable IP commercialisation strategies aligned with their broader commercial goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">World IP Day 2026 is a timely reminder that intellectual property is one of sport\u2019s most powerful assets, whether it takes the form of a global brand, a distinctive goal celebration, or an innovative piece of technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clarke Willmott provides practical, commercially focused advice to help clients in sport protect and monetise their ideas, identity and innovation with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To discuss how Clarke Willmott can support you with the commercialisation of intellectual property in sport,&nbsp;please&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.clarkewillmott.com\/request-a-consultation\/\"><strong>get in touch<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>26 April 2026 marks World Intellectual Property Day, celebrating the importance of intellectual property (IP) in driving innovation, creativity and commercial growth worldwide. This year\u2019s theme,\u00a0IP in Sport, highlights an industry where IP rights are fundamental, not just to protecting performance-related innovation, but also to monetising personality, brand and fan engagement. Here, Declan Goodwin, Partner [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190346150,"featured_media":4432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1378],"tags":[1372,1370],"class_list":["post-4430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-sport","tag-technology"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfwlnl-19s","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2555,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2025\/02\/24\/case-study-empowering-early-childhood-development-with-minimovers\/","url_meta":{"origin":4430,"position":0},"title":"Astudiaeth Achos: Grymuso Datblygiad Plentyndod Cynnar gyda MiniMovers","author":"meganchick1","date":"24th Chwefror 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Dr Nalda Wainwright, an Associate Professor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and founder of MiniMovers Ltd, is internationally recognised for her work in early childhood physical development and outdoor learning. Her research has been published and presented globally, focusing on supporting professionals in fostering children's physical development.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Study","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/category\/case-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-9.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-9.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-9.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-9.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Wordpress-9.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1424,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2024\/07\/17\/nniish-member-bionema-wins-kings-award-for-enterprise-for-its-greener-way-to-tackle-crop-pests\/","url_meta":{"origin":4430,"position":1},"title":"Bionema, Aelod NNIISH, yn Ennill Gwobr Mentergarwch y Brenin am Ymdrin yn Wyrddach \u00e2 Phl\u00e2u Cnydau","author":"meganchick1","date":"17th Gorffennaf 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The King\u2019s Awards for Enterprise, the pinnacle of recognition for UK businesses, have announced that their prestigious Innovation category award has been won by Bionema Group Ltd, a spin-out company from Swansea University. The accolade celebrates Bionema\u2019s groundbreaking NemaTrident, a revolutionary eco-friendly biological solution for crop pest management. 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The event, held on the University\u2019s Bay Campus, will bring together academic researchers, industry\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Event&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Event","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wordpress-3.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wordpress-3.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wordpress-3.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wordpress-3.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wordpress-3.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2147,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2024\/12\/11\/sonys-vision-for-ai-wearables-and-data-analytics-in-performance-and-wellbeing\/","url_meta":{"origin":4430,"position":3},"title":"Gweledigaeth Sony ar gyfer AI, Dyfeisiau Gwisgadwy, a Dadansoddeg Data mewn Perfformiad a Lles","author":"meganchick1","date":"11th Rhagfyr 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"In the ever-evolving world of sports and health, technology is playing a transformative role. We caught up with Rob Wilson, Sony Operations Director, about the intersection of emerging tech, sports, and public health. Discover how these innovations are driving performance, enhancing accessibility, addressing health disparities, and shaping the future of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1021,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2024\/04\/30\/case-study-revolutionising-cancer-detection-with-new-non-invasive-test\/","url_meta":{"origin":4430,"position":4},"title":"Astudiaeth Achos: Chwyldroi Canfod Canser gyda Phrawf Anfewnwthiol Newydd","author":"meganchick1","date":"30th Ebrill 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"CanSense is a Swansea University spinout company with big aspirations; to transform early-stage cancer detection. 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By employing Raman Spectroscopy on blood samples and leveraging AI analysis, CanSense identifies early-stage bowel cancer and pre-cancerous polyps.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Study","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/category\/case-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Wordpress-Featured-Image-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Wordpress-Featured-Image-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Wordpress-Featured-Image-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Wordpress-Featured-Image-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Wordpress-Featured-Image-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4443,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/cy\/2026\/04\/28\/swansea-university-and-uk-sports-institute-launch-phd-to-enhance-data-informed-performance-in-elite-sport\/","url_meta":{"origin":4430,"position":5},"title":"Prifysgol Abertawe a Sefydliad Chwaraeon y DU yn lansio PhD i wella perfformiad ar sail data mewn chwaraeon el\u00eet","author":"meganchick1","date":"28th Ebrill 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Swansea University has launched a new collaborative PhD project with the\u00a0UK Sports Institute (UKSI), the UK\u2019s leading provider of science, medicine, technology and engineering services to Olympic and Paralympic sports. 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