Ilegal streaming and unauthorised broadcasts of sporting events

By Bufete Mejía & Asociados

Honduran Intellectual Property related organizations have gathered to fight the illegal transmission of sporting events, a practice that has spread throughout the country and will require special attention during the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, from November 20 to December 18.

The Association for Fair Intellectual Property (APPI Honduras), the Association of Programmers, Distributors and Agents of Cable Television Channels for Central America (APRODICA) and the Honduran American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Honduras) organized a forum to discuss joint actions on the matter.

Among Honduras needs are better work plans to address key IP issues, including the retransmission of unauthorised satellite signals, often referred to as signal piracy. Also the promotion of regulatory compliance by cable operators.

In recent years national and international sport associations have become much more alert of illegal transmissions of events, specially through digital platforms. FIFA, for example, takes infringements of its intellectual property very seriously and is working in close partnership with licensees globally to combat issues including illegal streaming and unauthorised broadcasts, trying to minimise issues relating to the infringement of its rights globally.

During the Russia 2018 World Cup, FIFA took legal action in relation to the activity of the pirate broadcaster known as beoutQ and the active involvement and support that had been provided by Saudi Arabia. In 2020 FIFA acknowledged the final panel report published by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to the activity of such pirate broadcaster, demanding that Saudi Arabia took the necessary steps under the obligations of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to protect legitimate media rights partners.

Established in 1981, AmCham Honduras is an independent association of business executives focused on United States trade and investment in a wide range of initiatives.