Panama's Football Federation Asserts Exclusive Control Over Its Commercial and IP Rights

By De Puy & Asociados

Sports federations occupy a distinctive position in the intellectual property landscape. They generate significant commercial value through the combination of trademarks, image rights, broadcast rights, and the reputational assets associated with national representation — yet the legal boundaries of those rights are frequently tested, particularly as digital platforms multiply the opportunities for unauthorized use. A recent communication from the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) brings those tensions into sharp focus.

The FPF, in its capacity as the governing body of football in Panama, recognized nationally and internationally, has formally informed the public, companies, brands, digital platforms, and any third parties that it is the sole entity authorized to regulate, administer, and exploit the commercial and intellectual property rights associated with the national teams and their official competitions. 

Those rights encompass, without limitation, the federation's name, acronyms, logos, crests, official designs, uniforms, and the national team's jerseys, as well as the graphic elements used across its physical and digital platforms. The designations "LA SELE" and "LA SELECCIÓN DE FÚTBOL DE PANAMÁ" are also protected distinctive signs whose exclusive ownership and use belong to the FPF.

The federation's statement is grounded in Panama's industrial property legislation. Any use, registration, reproduction, modification, commercialization, distribution, public communication, or any other form of use — whether direct or indirect, for commercial, advertising, promotional, or similar purposes — requires prior written authorization from the FPF. Unauthorized use of these rights constitutes a violation of Law 35 of 1996 on Industrial Property, as well as the relevant provisions of the Penal Code of the Republic of Panama. 

The dual legal basis — industrial property law and criminal law — is significant. It signals that the federation is prepared to pursue infringers not only through civil remedies, but through mechanisms that carry the weight of criminal sanction, which can serve as a considerably stronger deterrent.

Why This Matters Beyond Football

Statements of this kind from national sports federations are becoming more common, and for good reason. The commercial ecosystem surrounding a national football team has expanded substantially: replica kits, digital content, fantasy sports platforms, sponsorship activations, social media accounts, and merchandise generate a volume of rights-adjacent activity that would have been unimaginable two decades ago. Many actors in that ecosystem — from local businesses running World Cup promotions to digital creators producing fan content — operate without a clear understanding of where the rights holder's exclusivity begins.

The timing of the FPF's communication is also notable. With the FIFA World Cup taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026, the commercial interest of the tournament is accompanied by a heavily regulated legal environment, with FIFA and national federations actively monitoring any potential intellectual property infringement. ¨Panama will participate in the tournament and Panama's federation is positioning itself to manage and monetize its IP portfolio during a period of unusually high commercial exposure.

A Model for the Region

The FPF's approach reflects a broader trend across Latin American football. Federations that once relied on informal norms and occasional cease-and-desist letters are increasingly building formal IP governance frameworks — registering marks proactively, publishing clear licensing policies, and signaling their willingness to enforce rights through both administrative and criminal channels.