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ARTICLE · 26 SEPTEMBER 2025

Licensing In Sports And Entertainment Industry

S.S. Rana & Co.
S.S. Rana & Co.
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The sports and entertainment industry thrives on intellectual property (IP) rights, making licensing a key business strategy. Licensing allows companies and individuals to commercialize names, logos, images, characters...

IndiaIntellectual Property
Ananyaa Banerjee
Ananyaa Banerjee
Asmita Kaur
Asmita Kaur
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Introduction

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The sports and entertainment industry thrives on intellectual property (IP) rights, making licensing a key business strategy. Licensing allows companies and individuals to commercialize names, logos, images, characters, and other IP assets, generating revenue and expanding brand reach. Whether it's a football club licensing its merchandise, a movie franchise selling themed apparel, or a musician/sportsman monetizing their brand through collaborations; licensing plays a vital role in shaping the industry. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a good example of monetization through licensing in India.

Understanding Licensing

At its core, licensing is a contractual arrangement where an IP owner (the licensor) allows another party (the licensee) to use its protected material in exchange for royalties or a licensing fee. This arrangement not only helps monetize valuable IP assets but also expands a brand's reach and influence in new markets. In 2023,

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