Post by EUIPO - European Union Intellectual Property Office

As fans follow major sporting events around the world, such as the Australian Open 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and with the FIFA Club World Cup approaching this June, the sports sector continues to face challenges linked to illegal streaming and counterfeit sporting goods. According to EUIPO data, 12% of EU citizens access sports content through illegal online sources, rising to 27% among young people aged 15–24. Streaming is the most common method, accounting for 58% of online piracy in the EU, compared with 32% via downloads. Illegal IPTV services offering pirated broadcasts have also expanded in recent years, reflecting continued demand for unauthorised streaming. Counterfeit sports equipment is another major concern. Fake sporting goods cost manufacturers around €850 million annually in the EU and may pose risks when products fail to meet safety and quality standards. These trends threaten the financing of sport, as revenues from legitimate broadcasts and official products support sports organisations and athletes. On World IP Day, the EUIPO highlights how intellectual property helps protect the sports ecosystem, while its European Observatory continues to monitor piracy and counterfeiting and promote legal content and authentic products. Foul play. The high cost of IP infringement in sports. https://lnkd.in/e29zxEPR

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