IPL lays down norms for use of IPL Names & Proprietary Content by print media

Ahead of the commencing of the tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has taken steps to enforce its rights against the unlicensed commercial utilisation by third parties of the IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content in contravention of the rights granted by the IPL to its sponsors. The Dream11 Indian Premier League 2020 is scheduled to take place between September 19, 2020 and November 10, 2020.

Also read: Enjoy Dream11 IPL 2020 from the comfort of your homes

IPL, through its legal counsel, has issued letters of advance notification to print media, wherein it has sought to clarify what constitutes permissible and impermissible activity in relation to the Dream11 IPL, so as to prevent any inadvertent infringements of IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content by the print media. In this context, the letter pointed out that Dream11, TATA Motors, Unacademy, CRED, Paytm and CEAT are currently the exclusive sponsors and partners of the Dream11 IPL. Certain other sponsors and partners may be designated by the IPL from time to time.

The letter goes on to state that, “Other than the entities specified herein above and their authorised licensees and sub-licensees, no entity is entitled to make unlicensed use for commercial purposes of any or all of the IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content (other than for activities that are primarily for news reporting and journalistic in nature, activity and scope), or commercially associate in any other way, either expressly or impliedly, including through marketing promotions, contests, advertising, fantasy games or other commercial activity, online or otherwise, with the IPL or the Dream11 IPL.”

Without license, publication/s are not allowed to:

use any or all of the IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content in conjunction with any advertisement, message, name, logo, trade mark or word mark of any third party;
publish any article, match synopsis, match review, or snap-shot relating to the Dream11 IPL or any previous IPL seasons that uses any or all of the IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content in conjunction with any advertisement, message, name, logo, trade mark or word mark of a third party;
publish any photograph that relates to the Dream11 IPL or any previous season of the IPL that is sponsored by any third party, or contains catchphrases that refer to any third party (e.g., “‘Entity A’ Moment of the Match”);
publish third party sponsored or presented score-cards of Dream11 IPL matches;
publish third party sponsored capsules or tables containing fixtures, timings and/or venue details of Dream11 IPL matches;
publish any syndicated column that displays any or all of the IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content and displays the advertisement, message, name, trade mark, word mark or logo of any commercial or non-commercial entity/ entities;
publish a special page, section or supplement relating to Dream11 IPL that displays any or all of the IPL Names, IPL Marks, and IPL Proprietary Content in conjunction with any advertisement, message, name, logo, trade mark or word mark of a third party; or
publish still images by altering or deliberately removing, replacing or obscuring any logo of a sponsor of the IPL, a participating team or a participating player.

However, publications can use the official logo of the Dream11 IPL for journalistic, news reporting and non-commercial purposes.

The letter further stated that the IPL has engaged the services of a specialised agency to monitor the usage of IPL Names, IPL Marks and IPL Proprietary Content by the print media during the Dream11 IPL, and cautioned print media of even legal action in case of persistent breach of the exclusive rights granted by the IPL to its sponsors, partners and licensees.