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LWM63

Intellectual property and sport

Module information>

Academic Direction
UCL, Queen Mary University of London
Modes of Study
Online

The four modules of this course cover how intellectual property fits into sports branding, the sports market as well as the relationships between sponsors and sport, marketing and sport and other interrelated areas.

Some of the restrictions on sponsorship are also covered such as the move in recent years to try to stop sponsorship by tobacco or alcohol companies. The concept of ambush marketing – a relatively new term – is also explored in detail, as well as some specific instances that put ambush marketing in context and laws put in place to prevent ambush marketing.  Areas like ticketing regulations, broadcasting – including more detailed studies of jurisdictions where there are specific broadcasting rights and also counterfeiting and parallel trade regulations in relation to sport are also covered in depth.

Module A: Branding in sports

LWM63A

  • Introduction to sporting brands
  • Trade mark protection for sports events and sports stars
  • Using copyright to protect imagery and sounds in sport
  • Using design rights to protect images, mascots and brands
  • Passing off and endorsement of events and stars
  • Sports celebrities image rights

Module B Sponsorship in sports

LWM63B

  • The sponsorship market in sport
  • The different types of sponsorship available
  • The sorts of rights granted in sponsorship agreements
  • The responsibilities of both sponsors and the sponsored party
  • The sponsorship contract

Module C Ambush marketing

LWM63C

  • Introduction to ambush marketing
  • Protection of special event symbols (for example, the Olympics)
  • Anti-ambush marketing laws
  • The use of domain names to ambush an event
  • The internationalisation of ambush marketing norms
  • Preventing ambush marketing: the toolkit

Module D: Special topics in sports

LWM63D

  • Broadcasting rights
  • Ticketing restrictions
  • Advertising laws and sports branding
  • Counterfeiting and merchandising

Assessment

Each module is assessed by a 45-minute unseen written exam.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended you attempt Modules A and B before C and D.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification.

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

  • Commercial and Corporate Law
  • Common Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • International Business Law
  • International Intellectual Property Law
  • Media Law
  • Sports Law

Apply via Postgraduate Laws.

Study Material