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Assembling a Gold-Medal Worthy Campaign: Trademark Usage, Advertising and Athlete Sponsorship Considerations During the Games
Assembling a Gold-Medal Worthy Campaign: Trademark Usage, Advertising and Athlete Sponsorship Considerations During the Games

What You Need to Know to Avoid Missteps in Olympic Advertising 

Most of the world will tune in to watch the best athletes around the globe as they descend upon the world’s biggest stage for sport: the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. With billions of people cheering their favorite countries and athletes as they compete at the highest level, many will be exposed to the marketing and media campaigns that follow through every medium – from social to streaming. It is no wonder why the Olympics have become an advertising dream for sponsors of the athletes, coaches, trainers, team members, and other official personnel (the “Participants”) attending the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

By Steve Smith, Jill Chalmers, Ellen Whitehorn, and Madeleine Considine at BCLP
Tags: USOPP, Olympic Games, Paris, IOC, Olympiad, NCAA, NFL, USOPC, NOC
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State of Affairs for IP in Sports
State of Affairs for IP in Sports

Intellectual property has been a legal area rife with game changing cases in the past several years. This year is no different. This article dives into two recent legal battles - Pennsylvania State Univ. v. Vintage Brand, LLC and Warner Chappell Music v. Nealy - that reshape the landscape of intellectual property in sports. We analyze how these rulings impact everything from team logos on apparel to the music used in highlight reels. The results of these cases will have massive ripple effects for nearly everyone in the sports industry, and interested parties need to take note of what may be coming their way sooner rather than later. 

By Matthew Holt, SLA Member
Tags: IP, Intellectual Property, Vintage Brands, Penn State, Trademark, Warner Chappell Music, Nealy
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Good for the Game of Golf? The Merger Heard Round the World
Good for the Game of Golf? The Merger Heard Round the World

The PGA TOUR (“Tour”) has decided to do an about-face that is surrounded by controversy. The Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, has been at the center of the debate due to his zero-tolerance stance for LIV Golf (“LIV”). In June of 2023, the world of golf spun into a frenzy due to the rumblings of, and eventual admission of, the intended merger between the Tour, LIV, and DP World Tour.

By Dwan Samuel
Tags: LIV Golf, PGA, DOJ, MLB, Sherman Act, Clayton Act, Big Five
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Are NFTs Securities? Examining the Ongoing Dapper Labs 'NBA Topshot' Case
Are NFTs Securities? Examining the Ongoing Dapper Labs 'NBA Topshot' Case

The astronomical rise and downfall of Non-Fungible Tokens ("NFTs") have led to many legal uncertainties surrounding these blockchain-based digital assets. While some leagues, teams, and players have launched their own NFT projects to enhance the fan experience, such as digital commemorative tickets or access to fan communities, a few NFT projects have been caught in the legal crossfire. One of those companies tied up in a lawsuit is Dapper Labs, which has licensing deals with the NBA, NFL, and UFC. Read more about Dapper Labs' NBA Top Shot lawsuit here. 

By Josh Goldberg, SLA Next Gen Committee Member
Tags: NFTs, Token, The Dapper Labs, Cyptocurrency, NBA, UFC, Blockchain
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Dear College Sports
Dear College Sports

Boy did I love you.  Regional play with long-standing rivalries.  Home and away with conference games that did not burden athletes with the long travel that could, heaven forbid, impact studies, (and bowl games don’t count!).   Alas, that is fast becoming a memory as the Pac 12 (let alone Pac 10 or my beloved Pac 8) has an expiration date as UCLA and USC announced that as of ’24 they are both off to the Big Ten.  One can only surmise that the logistics and stresses of East Coast games are all worth the bigger payday for being a part of the Big Ten.  Cynical?  Absolutely.

By Bobby Hacker, SLA Past President
Tags: College Sports, NCAA, Big 10, SEC, Power 5
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Facial Recognition in Sports Venues and Lessons Learned from FTC Cybersecurity Enforcement Actions
Facial Recognition in Sports Venues and Lessons Learned from FTC Cybersecurity Enforcement Actions

The future of in-venue sports technology will continue to transform the in-person experience at live sporting events. Specifically, facial recognition technology has played a significant role in that transformation. Facial recognition technology has evolved, allowing fans to scan their faces to enter venues, pick-up mobile orders, and make purchases at concession stands.

By Raul Muniz, SLA NextGen Committee Member
Tags: FTC, Cybersecurity, Facial Recognition, Sporting Venues
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