U.S. Chamber Releases Study on Intellectual Property in the Global Sports Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) today released a new study, “Leveraging Intellectual Property in the Global Sports Economy,” which outlines the central role of intellectual property (IP) in the modern sports industry.
The report illustrates the economic impact of counterfeiting and piracy in the sports industry, and it outlines four key findings:
Given the rise in online shopping, and with rates of e-commerce increasing by double digits annually, levels of physical counterfeiting of sporting goods and sportswear are growing exponentially. The report estimates that the direct economic impact of counterfeiting on the global sporting goods and sportswear markets is almost $50 billion each year. Accounting for the indirect effect on related services, the overall impact of counterfeiting is an estimated $84 billion each year.
In examining the economic impact of piracy, the report focuses on China as a case study, examining how gaps in its current IP framework hinder its ability to effectively fight piracy of sports broadcasting. Despite growing consumer interest and match attendance, the proliferation of online piracy is stifling China’s domestic soccer league; paid subscriptions amount to less than 10 percent of the league’s overall revenue, compared to 50 percent in other, more mature markets.
Set-top boxes are creating a new battleground of online piracy, according to the report, due to a plug-and-play set up that allows consumers to illicitly intercept sports broadcasts. This can occur without a consumer’s awareness, since the interface of pirated set-top boxes mimic the user experience provided by legitimate cable companies.
Overall, the report illustrates how sport, while not often discussed in economic or commercial terms, is a quintessential intangible asset.
The full report is available online here.
The Chamber’s Global Innovation Policy Center is working around the world to champion innovation and creativity through intellectual property standards that create jobs, save lives, advance global economic and cultural prosperity, and generate breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
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