WASHINGTON (April 24, 2026) — Today, Frank Cullen, Executive Director of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP), released the following statement ahead of World Intellectual Property (IP) Day on April 26, which this year highlights the role of IP in sports:
“Intellectual property (IP) is central to the modern sports ecosystem, underpinning its economic value, innovative capacity, and global reach. Strong IP protections safeguard the unique elements that make sports commercially viable and culturally impactful — from team logos, league branding, and broadcast rights to athlete likenesses, proprietary data, and emerging technologies such as performance analytics.
“Media and broadcasting rights generate billions in revenue, enabling leagues to invest in world-class talent, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and fan engagement. Trademark protections secure team identities and merchandise, ensuring authenticity while combatting knockoffs. Even so, the global sports industry is increasingly targeted by bad actors, and brand counterfeiting remains rampant — underscoring the need for stronger enforcement tools and support for measures like the SHOP SAFE Act to better safeguard consumers and legitimate businesses.
“Alongside media rights and trademarks, copyright laws also protect game footage, highlights, and other digital content central to the fan experience. Meanwhile, rights of publicity give athletes control over — and the ability to monetize — their personal brands. Yet today, the name, image, and likeness of the athletes we admire are increasingly exploited without authorization, often through the use of generative artificial intelligence — reinforcing the importance of advancing safeguards like the NO FAKES Act.
“Patents are equally vital to the global sports ecosystem, bridging the intersection between intellectual curiosity and physical performance. Across every sport, patented technologies have delivered tangible benefits: helping athletes run, swim, ski, and cycle faster; drive a golf ball farther; and even jump or climb higher.
“The potential is limitless. From wearable performance trackers to Major League Baseball’s newest Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System, patents incentivize investment in cutting-edge innovations that are transforming how sports are played, officiated, and experienced.
“In a globalized and increasingly digital sports economy, IP is a core strategic asset — enabling leagues, teams, and athletes to expand into new markets, sustain competitive advantages, and preserve the integrity of their brands. Whether you are a fan of football, basketball, soccer, baseball, or track and field, this much is clear: IP is critical to protecting the value of the sports ecosystem today and powering its growth tomorrow.”
About the Council for Innovation Promotion: The Council for Innovation Promotion is a bipartisan coalition dedicated to promoting strong and effective intellectual property rights that drive innovation, boost economic competitiveness, and improve lives everywhere.