The English Premier League (PL) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) are investigating copyright infringement and the use of club assets in NFTs promoted by football stars.
Chelsea captain John Terry and Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney tweeted NFTs featuring baby monkeys in club uniforms and painted football trophies.
The Premier League, which is considering launching its own NFTs, is concerned about the use of its intellectual property in the digital art Terry has shared. The Premier League trophy is trademarked and may not be used commercially without signing a license agreement.
UEFA and the Chelsea football club made a claim against the former team captain. Terry and teammate Ashley Cole advertised the NFT using the Chelsea club kit and logo, which could violate intellectual property law.
A similar situation is with the trophies of the FA Cup and the Champions League.
UEFA issued a statement saying the union “takes the protection of its intellectual property rights seriously and will continue to investigate the matter.”
The concerns of major football functionaries are explained by the fact that professional sports organizations are increasingly interested in NFTs against the backdrop of their rapid development and profitability. In 2021, NFT trading volume on the NBA Top Shot platform reached $4.5 million.
