FROM SOCCER KITS TO DESIGNER FITS: HOW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INFLUENCE REAL MADRID’S FASHION LINE
AUTHORS – ARNAV NEHRA, ARYAN THAKUR* & ANANYAA VARMA
*STUDENTS AT O.P JINDAL GLOBAL UNIVERSITY
** STUDENTS AT BENNETT UNIVERSITY (TIMES OF INDIA GROUP)
BEST CITATION – ARNAV NEHRA, ARYAN THAKUR* & ANANYAA VARMA, FROM SOCCER KITS TO DESIGNER FITS: HOW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INFLUENCE REAL MADRID’S FASHION LINE INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 4 (2) OF 2024, PG. 389-393, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.
ABSTRACT
In the present era of sports and fashion, the intersection of these two areas have resulted in important as well as prominent legal considerations, specially pertaining the jurisdiction of intellectual property rights. Notably, celebrity endorsements have not failed to capture the attention of the crowd and mark its presence in major corporate dealings. Real Madrid, one of the world’s most legendary football clubs, has made significant advances into the fashion business in addition to dominating sports.
Image rights management is a major legal challenge in celebrity endorsements. Real Madrid players’ image and likeness carry significant commercial value due to their high profile and global familiarity. Image rights agreements are rigorously structured to guarantee that athletes retain control over how their images are used commercially, notably in fashion endorsements. These agreements usually specify the extent of usage, length, geographical location, and monetary compensation. The complexities of such contracts are critical in protecting the interests of both the player and the club, ensuring that the image is not used in a way that could harm reputations or conflict with other endorsements. This article aims to explore the legal aspects of celebrity endorsements, focusing on Real Madrid players as fashion symbols. The relationship between sports celebrities and fashion labels is mutually beneficial; while sportsmen build their personal brands and income streams, fashion companies use the athletes’ fame to increase their market presence and brand value.