All of the official names, phrases, trademarks, trade names, logos, trophy image and designs related to the IPL are protected by the law in a variety of ways. If anyone could use the IPL IPR for free, or could create or suggest an association with the IPL, there would be no incentive for sponsors, partners or broadcasters to invest in or support the IPL and, ultimately, the amount of financial distributions that the BCCI-IPL would be able to make across its franchises and across its membership base for investment in the sport of cricket towards development of infrastructure, support of retired cricketers and match officials and development of the game at all levels would be damaged immeasurably.
The IPL IPR is legally protected by a wide variety of means, which include trade mark and design laws, copyright laws, competition and trade practices laws, telecommunications and broadcast laws relating to signal theft, common law and the terms and conditions under which IPL match tickets are sold and pursuant to which stadium entry is permitted.
What uses are unlawful without a license from the BCCI-IPL?
Without license from the BCCI-IPL, it is unlawful to
(i) use the IPL Names and IPL Marks in a manner likely to cause confusion among members of the public as to the existence of a commercial association with the IPL, or
(ii) reproduce or distribute items using IPL IPR in the course of trade. The IPL Names and IPL Marks cannot be used on goods, in business names or in advertising or promotions without license from the BCCI-IPL or one of its authorised licensees that, in turn, has the rights to grant sub-licenses.
(iii) to falsely represent or imply any association, affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship or similar relationship with the BCCI-IPL.
Situations in which the IPL IPR can be used without the BCCI-IPL’s explicit license and consent.
- The IPL Names, IPL Marks and, to a limited extent and subject to the current IPL Media Accreditation and News Access Guidelines (and all relevant copyright laws), the IPL Footage, may be used for news reporting purposes in non-commercial editorial-only news pieces without the BCCI-IPL’s prior authorisation.
- In certain circumstances when reporting and providing information on the BCCI-IPL and/or the IPL, journalists are able to use the IPL Names and IPL Marks to illustrate their editorial-only feature subject to full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Such use of the IPL IPR must be in compliance with these guidelines.
Rights enjoyed by the franchise sponsors and partners :
Franchise sponsors and partners are granted certain rights by the franchises they associate with. The rights that franchises may grant to their sponsors and partners are governed by the franchise agreement, sponsorship guidelines, player ID guidelines and other applicable league rules. In no event may a franchise grant or a franchise sponsor or partner be granted any rights in IPL IPR. As a result, a franchise sponsor or partner shall in no event use IPL IPR (other than specifically granted rights to use franchise names, franchise marks, etc.) by virtue of being a franchise sponsor or partner. For the sake of clarity, no franchise sponsor or partner may use the IPL Names or IPL Marks in any of its marketing communications or promotions.
Full text : IPL_2015_-_Brand_and_Content_Protection_Guidelines
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