From Smartly Designed Sports Equipment to Patented Technologies for enhancing the sport. To trademarks on team branding and player personality rights, IP is very immensely embedded in Sports.
Today, We just don’t watch the matches, But try to assess how IP is closely connected with Sports. They are not only limiting to the practical skills but Sports are more about techno driving techniques.
On 26th April , We all celebrated World Intellectual Property Day 2026, themed “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” highlighting how intellectual property (IP) rights protect and fuel the technological, design, and branding innovations that drive modern sports.
Taking this IP Day celebration to the next level, On April 29, 2026, India announced a 3-year waiver of all intellectual property (IP) registration fees related to the sports sector, covering patents, trademarks, copyrights, and designs. This initiative, aimed at boosting local manufacturing and innovation, applies to startups, athletes, and innovators, reducing costs from as high as ₹60,000 to nil.The government will extend additional support to assist innovators in filing.
This will positively assist in Promoting “Make in India” in sports, specifically targeting manufacturing, technology, and branding. This will make India not only a sports playing nation but something beyond that…
– Gargee Limaye
Patent Agent/ Intellectual Property Analyst