Sports and Intellectual Property: Advisory, Litigation and Transactions
Our advocates have immense experience in offering advisory, litigation and transactional services on the legal aspects that arise from the sports industry. We act for clubs, players, coaches and sports organisations, and we understand both the regulations that govern the game and the commercial realities of running a club or building a career in sport.
The Sports Department, together with the Legal Advisory and Consultancy Department, provides legal advisory and opinions on enforcement and implication of the FKF constitution, FIFA statutes, the Sports Act and the Sports Registrar's rules to players, coaches and the entire club. This includes club licensing and registration with FKF, and registration and administrative matters before the office of the Sports Registrar.
We draft and negotiate playing, coaching, transfer, sponsorship and image rights contracts, making sure that terms on remuneration, duration, termination and dispute resolution are clear and enforceable. Clear contracts at the outset prevent many of the disputes that otherwise arise later in a season or a career.
When disputes do arise, we advise and represent parties in matters filed at the FKF Player Status Committee, in league disputes, and in proceedings before the Sports Disputes Tribunal. We aim to resolve these matters quickly, because in sport the timing of a decision can matter as much as the outcome.
Together with the Commercial and Conveyancing Department, we help clubs, athletes and creators protect their names, logos and other intellectual property through registration and enforcement of trademarks, patents and copyright, so that the value they build in the brand stays with them.
What We Handle
- Advisory on club licensing and registration at FKF
- Registration and administrative issues under the office of the Sports Registrar
- Advice on disputes by players and coaches filed at the FKF Player Status Committee
- Drafting and negotiation of sports contracts
- Disputes filed against a club at the Sports Disputes Tribunal
- League disputes involving the league in which the club plays
- Registration and enforcement of trademarks and patents, handled with the Commercial and Conveyancing Department