In celebration of World IP Day 2026, themed “IP and sports,” the WIPO Academy announced the launch of its new specialized eLearning course on intellectual property and sports entrepreneurship DL-464. The course was developed in partnership with the International Trade Center ITC.
Registration for the DL-464 course is open until May 26, 2027. The course is accessible from April 30 to July 31, 2026.
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Image: Getty images
WIPO is organizing a free webinar on April 29, 2026, to mark the launch of this course.
Join the launch webinar on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 14:00 to 15:30 CET.
The webinar will feature contributions from WIPO’s intellectual property and sports taskforce and the International Trade Center ITC. It will include a keynote on intellectual property and sports entrepreneurship and a live demonstration of the course. A question and answer session will follow.
Why this course matters
Sport has become a global commercial industry where value is driven by media rights, branding, sponsorship, and digital content. Intellectual property defines how this value is created, protected, and shared.
The course responds to the need for practical knowledge of how IP operates in real sports business environments. It supports learners in understanding how opportunities are identified, how ventures are structured, and how rights are used in practice.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for aspiring and established sports entrepreneurs, students and professionals in sports law and management, athletes, coaches, and sports administrators, as well as business professionals and in-house lawyers working in the sports sector. It is equally valuable for anyone with a general interest in the business of sport.
What you will learn
Participants will learn to identify business and work opportunities in sport and evaluate the environment using research methods and PESTEL analysis. The course explains how to develop a business plan and how sports marketing differs from traditional marketing.
It also covers the role of intellectual property in sport, including copyright, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, licensing, and franchising. Learners will examine image rights and their importance for athletes, teams, and minors, and understand trademark registration for sports brands across different activities and markets. For more information, please contact the course administration.
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