6 May 2008 – Brussels
EPFL International Conference on
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and Sports Betting Integrity
During the last decades, the Football in general and Professional Football in particular have increasingly contributed to the commercial growth and positive evolution of Sport in Europe, constantly responding to the increasing demands of both the market and society.
In today’s developed and increasingly globalised market environment, Professional Sport depends on the commercialization of its rights and the preservation of the integrity of its competitions to create an income stream that is reinvested back into every aspect of the sport, from grassroots and talent development to the elite level and corporate social responsibility programmes. As the entities that have the responsibility of administering day-to-day Professional Football at the national level, the Leagues are committed to protect these rights and ensure Sport’s economic viability and social role.
With this spirit, the Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) has taken the initiative and responsibility to organize an International Conference on “PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS and SPORTS BETTING INTEGRITY”. This Conference is integrated in the EPFL Cycle of Conferences on “The Future of Professional Football in Europe” and will take place at the auditorium of the Belgian Professional Football League, located at Avenue Houba de Strooperlaan 145, Brussels 1020, Belgium.
As Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, the CEO of the EPFL, has explained “this Conference is aimed to raise awareness and promote the adoption of a number of urgent measures, namely by national and European legislators and policy makers, to effectively protect the legitimate interests of our Leagues, clubs and other sport rights owners from the mounting challenges created by illegal streaming, unlawful betting practices and other detrimental phenomena which impact negatively on the commercialization of their rights and the image of their competitions”.
A number of key note speakers and experts from various institutions, such as FIFA, European Commission, European Parliament, British Horse Racing Authority, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, the US Major Soccer League and other relevant bodies are actively participating in this important event to share their views and practical knowledge on such significant matters, as per terms of the Programme attached hereto.
Media representatives wishing to attend the EPFL International Conference are kindly invited to return the enclosed Registration form by email: acolombo@epfl-europeanleagues.com and/or by fax +41 22 308 51 01, no later than 30 April 2008.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the EPFL Communication, Marketing and Event Manager, Alberto Colombo, Tel:+41 7923 75104.
Nyon, 30 April 2008
