Ukrainian Catering Establishments to Get Permission to Broadcast Euro 2012 Football Matches

To improve the level of protection of the Union of European Football Association’s (UEFA) intellectual property rights, public catering establishments in Ukraine, such as bars and restaurants, will have to obtain permission from the National Television Company of Ukraine in order to broadcast the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship matches.

The UEFA signed an exclusive agreement with the national television broadcaster permitting it to transmit the Euro 2012 matches in Ukraine. However, broadcasting football matches is not profitable only for TV channels but also for catering establishments that broadcast them.

In accordance with the Ukrainian law covering the organization and hosting of the Euro 2012 finals, broadcasting without permission will be treated as illegal marketing. All infringers will be punished in accordance with Ukraine’s Civil Code, Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences. The sanctions will depend on the extent of damage, in this case damage meaning rights holder’s expected profit losses.

For more information, please contact Maya Kryvoshei at our Ukraine office.

Source: Intelvlas, Ukrainian online IP news portal