Intellectual Property and Major Sporting Events: APAPI Roundtable on Paraguay’s EDRI Law

On 24 April 2026, the Paraguayan Association of Intellectual Property Agents (APAPI), with the support of the Paraguayan Group of AIPPI, held a high-level roundtable discussion in Asunción to mark World Intellectual Property Day 2026, under the global theme promoted by the World Intellectual Property Organization: “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.” This theme highlights the growing role of intellectual property in driving innovation and value creation in the sports industry.

The event, titled “International Sporting Events and the EDRI Law,” took place at CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Luque and brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to discuss the legal challenges and opportunities arising from the protection of intellectual property in the context of major international sporting events.

The roundtable featured distinguished speakers, including Diego Pérez (DINAPI), Myriam Rodríguez Quiñónez (Public Prosecutor’s Office), Cecilia Fernández (CONMEBOL), and Fidel Troche (International Olympic Committee), and was moderated by Cecilia Abente. The event was organized by APAPI, with the support of the Paraguayan Group of AIPPI, CONMEBOL, and ASIPI.

The discussion focused on Paraguay’s recent legislative developments, particularly Law No. 7476/25, which establishes special protection mechanisms for major international sporting events. This legal framework introduces enhanced safeguards for the commercial exploitation of event-related intellectual property assets, including trademarks, symbols, and other distinctive signs associated with organizing entities.

One of the key features of the EDRI Law is its alignment with international standards, particularly Article 6bis of the Paris Convention, by recognizing the special status of official symbols as well-known marks. This approach seeks to prevent unauthorized use, ambush marketing, and other forms of unfair competition that typically arise in connection with global sporting events.

The event also addressed the growing economic relevance of intangible assets in the sports industry, where broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, branding, and digital content play a central role. In this context, intellectual property protection is no longer a purely legal concern but a strategic tool for ensuring the sustainability and monetization of sports ecosystems.

In addition, the role of enforcement mechanisms was discussed, particularly the need for coordinated action between administrative authorities, prosecutors, and private stakeholders. Paraguay’s recent developments in strengthening IP enforcement — including judicial measures against digital piracy — provided a relevant backdrop for these discussions.

From a regional perspective, this initiative positioned Paraguay within the Latin American landscape as a jurisdiction actively adapting its legal framework to the demands of global sporting events. The collaboration between institutions such as CONMEBOL and international organizations underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing complex IP challenges.

By fostering dialogue among practitioners, policymakers, and industry representatives, this roundtable contributed to strengthening awareness and promoting best practices in the protection of intellectual property in the sports sector.