On Friday, January 31st, Tero PC proudly hosted the first part of the first round of the IPR-A Student Seminars as part of the Erasmus+ project IPR-A. The event took place at OK!Thess in Thessaloniki, Greece, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, students, and professionals with a keen interest in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for Athletes.
The seminar aimed to raise awareness and foster discussions on the significance of protecting athletes’ intellectual property, ensuring they receive proper recognition and compensation for their image, name, and personal brand.
Expert Insights and Key Themes
We were honored to welcome Prof. Dimitris Gargalianos, a distinguished expert in the field of Dual Careers for Athletes, as our keynote speaker. Prof. Gargalianos provided the audience with invaluable insights into the challenges that athletes face when balancing their sporting careers with personal and professional development. His presentation set the stage for a broader discussion on how Intellectual Property Rights intersect with athletes’ career trajectories and the importance of safeguarding their legal and economic interests.
Following his insightful presentation, the seminar continued with an overview of the IPR-A project’s main objectives. Participants were introduced to the core principles of Intellectual Property Rights in sports, the challenges athletes encounter in securing their rights, and the strategies necessary to promote a fairer and more structured approach to athlete branding and ownership.
Engaging Discussions and Enthusiastic Participation
The event fostered fruitful discussions, with participants actively engaging in debates about the significance of intellectual property protection in sports. Attendees, including young athletes, academics, policymakers, and individuals engaged in commercial activities and entrepreneurship, had the opportunity to exchange views, share insights, and explore potential ways to enhance awareness and implementation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for athletes across Europe.
There was a strong sense of enthusiasm and anticipation for the second part of the seminar, scheduled for Friday, February 7th, 2025. This upcoming session will delve deeper into the legal framework of IPRs, case studies, and best practices, providing participants with practical knowledge on how to protect and manage their intellectual property.
Looking Ahead
The success of the first session highlights the growing recognition of the importance of Intellectual Property Rights in the sports sector. As the IPR-A project continues, we look forward to further developing tools, resources, and policy recommendations that will empower athletes and stakeholders to navigate the complex landscape of IPRs.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all attendees, speakers, and partners who contributed to making this event a success. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming activities, and we look forward to welcoming you to the second part of the seminar on February 7th, 2025!
