Upholding intellectual property (IP) rights through responsible consumption is being promoted as crucial to sustaining sports industry growth and protecting the livelihoods of athletes and creators.
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) issued the call as part of the country’s observance of National Intellectual Property Month (NIPM) this April, themed “IP in Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” which focuses on the role of IP in supporting innovation and value creation in the global sports sector.
IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo said public support for authentic merchandise and licensed content directly contributes to the sustainability of the sports industry and those behind it.
“Every purchase of authentic merchandise, support for licensed products, and respect for creative content helps protect intellectual property and ultimately the sports industry,” Arevalo said.
He described IP as an “unseen legal and institutional framework” that safeguards sports brands, rewards innovation, and ensures fair compensation for athletes, creators, and rights holders.
IP protections in sports span trademarks, patents, industrial designs, and copyright. Trademarks, for instance, distinguish authentic merchandise from counterfeit goods, ensuring revenues go to legitimate rights holders.
Patents and industrial designs incentivize the development of high-performance equipment, while copyright protects creative content such as videos, music, and broadcast rights tied to sporting events. Endorsement deals involving athletes also rely on IP to protect the commercial value of their image and performance.
Beyond economic value, IPOPHL said IP protection also shields consumers from counterfeit and pirated goods, which may be substandard, unsafe, or linked to illicit activities.
The agency urged the public to avoid pirated sports broadcasts, refrain from purchasing counterfeit merchandise, and report IP violations to rights holders.
Arevalo said upholding IP begins with everyday decisions that enable Filipino creators and innovators to translate ideas into viable contributions.
Deputy Director General Ann Claire Credo-Cabochan said the widespread appeal of sports in the Philippines reflects the “underdog spirit” seen in the journeys of Filipino innovators.
“Through sheer ingenuity and great resolve, many Filipino creators and innovators have turned their ideas into successfully commercial IP assets despite challenges,” she said.
IPOPHL noted that sports has grown into a global industry valued at up to $620 billion and contributes to sustainable development, including the empowerment of women and youth.
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