The event “Intellectual Property and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate!”, organized by the Hellenic Copyright Organization on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Olympic Museum of Athens (Golden Hall), was successfully completed as part of the World Intellectual Property Day 2026 celebrations.
The event highlighted the crucial role of Intellectual Property in modern sports, focusing on the challenges of the digital era, the protection of sports content, and the importance of innovation as a driver of growth. Representatives of the State, international organizations, institutional bodies, as well as members of the academic and legal communities, actively participated, contributing to a meaningful and productive dialogue on the developments and prospects of the sector.
The Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI) participated with senior executives as speakers, offering documented knowledge and specialized analysis on critical issues connecting industrial property with sports and innovation.
More specifically, during the panel discussion titled “Industrial Property and Innovation in Sports,” moderated by Ms. Katerina Margellou, Deputy Director General and Director of Legal Support at OBI, topics were explored that demonstrated how Industrial Property safeguards sports innovation, protects the creative and technological focus of entities, and strengthens the competitiveness of a rapidly evolving ecosystem.
Mr. Demetris Stafylas, Head of Search Directorate at OBI, presented analytical data on sports equipment, innovation, and intellectual property in the context of the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit. Mr. Aristeidis Pittaras, Director of Application & Grants at OBI, highlighted the importance of industrial design in the field of sports, presenting specific examples and trends. Finally, Ms. Villy Davilla, Lawyer, LL.M., at Dr. Eleni Papakonstantinou & Partners Law Firm, developed the topic “Trademarks in the Sports Sector: Current Commercial Reality and Case Law,” offering a clear overview of the current landscape and its challenges.
The event served as a meeting point for professionals and interested stakeholders, strengthening collaboration, knowledge exchange, and understanding of the critical issues shaping the future of Sports and Intellectual Property. These include increased infringement in physical and digital markets, the complexity of international registrations due to global presence, the need for continuous monitoring and immediate response to violations, reputation protection in an environment where a trademark’s image can be damaged very quickly, and new forms of commercial exploitation, among others.
