FAS EXHORTS NOT TO USE THE SYMBOLS OF THE VOLLEYBALL WORLD CUP AND THE WORLD STUDENT GAMES UNLAWFULLY

In connection with the World Volleyball Championship [1] and the World Student Games [2], Russia has assumed obligations to protect property rights and symbols of sporting events. They are fixed in agreements with the FIVB and FISU [3] and are reflected in government documents and instructions for the preparation of events.

The FAS Russia, together with the ANO “Executive Directorate “Universiade-2023” and ANO “Organizing Committee Volleyball 2022” and representatives of the interested authorities held an introductory meeting where they discussed issues related to the coordination of efforts to protect the property rights of organizers of international sporting events. It was about strengthening control over the illegal use of symbols of the Universiade and the Volleyball World Cup and interaction with copyright holders on such facts.

Besides, at the meeting the implementation of sponsorship and licensing programs for the use of symbols and trademarks was discussed. The issue of the protection of ticket programs of events was also raised.

Deputy Head of the FAS Russia Mrs. Karina Taukenova noted that during large-scale international events, it is important to protect the exclusive rights of organizers and their partners and prevent manipulation of the interests of citizens - fans. It is necessary to stop misleading them and the practice of selling low-quality and counterfeit goods and services.

“If unfair entrepreneurs create the appearance of involvement of their goods and services in the events of the Volleyball World Cup and the World Student Games, brand them with the symbols of competitions protected by law, such actions will be regarded by the FAS Russia as an act of unfair competition”, Karina Taukenova said.

Similar work has already been carried out by the FAS Russia together with other authorities during the Winter Olympic Games in 2014, the World Cup in 2018, the European Football Championship in 2020 and has shown the effectiveness of creating an IWG on brand protection in order to unite and coordinate the efforts of state bodies with authority in this area.

For reference:

[1] The Men's Volleyball World Championship in 2022 will be held from August 26 to September 11 in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Yaroslavl, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Ufa, Novosibirsk, Kemerovo and Krasnoyarsk.

[2] The XXXII World Student Games 2023 will be held in Yekaterinburg from August 8 to August 19, 2023.

[3] FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire) is an international student sports federation established for the development and promotion of sports among students.

FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) is an international volleyball federation.