EURO 2012 rights protection programme - FAQ

1. What is the UEFA Rights Protection Programme?
UEFA's Legal Affairs division set up the Rights Protection Programme (RPP) to actively prevent and protect against infringements of UEFA's rights related to UEFA EURO 2012. This includes an extensive trademark registration programme and a global network of legal specialists to advise and cooperate with UEFA regarding any potential infringements that may occur.

2. Why does UEFA place such importance on protecting its rights?
UEFA believes that protecting its intellectual property rights is fundamental to maintaining the sustained growth of European football. If UEFA did not protect its rights, then the value and quality attached to the activities conducted by UEFA would diminish.

The commercial entities to which UEFA grants exclusive association rights recognise that these rights are valuable assets and the revenue that the commercial exploitation of rights generates is redistributed by UEFA in such a way as to promote the healthy and continuous development of professional, amateur and youth football throughout Europe.

3. Which trademarks have been registered for UEFA EURO 2012?
The main designations related to UEFA EURO 2012 are protected as trademarks such as UEFA, EURO 2012 and POLAND/UKRAINE 2012, as well as their local equivalents. UEFA has further developed and protected several marks for UEFA EURO 2012 (click here for more information). These Official Marks are protected in most countries around the world by trademark registration, copyright and/or other laws of intellectual property.

4. Am I allowed to use the Official Marks of UEFA EURO 2012?
The Official Marks may be used for commercial/promotional purposes, only by entities that have been granted special association rights by UEFA.

5. Am I allowed to run promotions related to UEFA EURO 2012 if no Official Marks are used?
No, UEFA must have authorised a special promotional or advertising activity related to UEFA EURO 2012 if there is an association with UEFA EURO 2012 either directly or indirectly even if no official marks are used. Only commercial affiliates appointed by UEFA for UEFA EURO 2012 have the right to commercially associate themselves with UEFA EURO 2012.

6. Who can produce and sell products bearing the Official Marks?
Only commercial affiliates appointed by UEFA for UEFA EURO 2012 may produce, sell and/or distribute items bearing the Official Marks.

7. Can I use an Official Mark as part of a domain name?
The Official Marks may not be used in 'top level domain' website URL identification. In other words, the Official Marks may not be incorporated within a top level domain name (e.g. www.euro2012coverage.ua is not permitted).

8. Can I use an Official Mark on my website?
The Official Marks must not appear in such a way as to suggest an association with anyone's trade name, logo or other marks or their goods and/or services. The Official Marks cannot be used in any advertising. A media company may use the Official Marks for strictly editorial purposes only. Click here for more information.

9. What is ambush marketing?
Ambush marketing is a deliberate attempt by an entity to associate itself with an important event like UEFA EURO 2012 in order to gain some of the benefits of being an official sponsor without incurring the costs of sponsorship. Ambush marketing usually consists of an unauthorised marketing, promotional, advertising and/or public relations activity relating directly or indirectly to the event in question.

These activities are unauthorised because they give (or are intended to give) the wrong impression that the event organiser has endorsed the relevant goods or services and they take advantage of the significant value and goodwill established by the event organiser in connection with the event.

10. Am I allowed to sell my match ticket on an internet platform such as eBay?
No. The UEFA EURO 2012 Sales General Public Ticketing Terms and Conditions you approve when buying your ticket strictly prohibits any re-sale of the ticket without the approval of UEFA. Click here for more information.

11. Is it true that particular clothing and items will be prohibited in the stadium?
Clothing considered to bear obvious advertising or any racist or religious messages can be confiscated and access to the stadium can be refused. Organised groups for the purpose of ambush marketing will be stopped and inappropriate clothing removed or entry refused. Click here for more information.