Australia To Have Extra Protection for Major Sporting Events

On the 26th March 2014 the Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Bill 2014 was introduced into Parliament. While restricted to major sporting events, as with New Zealand’s Major Events Management Act 2007, the Bill is designed to:

• prevent the unauthorised commercial use of certain indicia and images associated with major events in the lead up, during, and immediately after the events; and
• provide a more secure environment in which the relevant local organising committees can raise revenue through sponsorship and prevent ambush marketing.

The Bill has been introduced now with a view to it being in force to provide increased protection for the following upcoming sporting events to be held in Australia:

• the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup 2015;
• the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2015; and
• the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Bill appears to have a wider application than some of the provisions of the New Zealand Major Events Management Act 2007. Namely, the Bill applies to conduct across Australia rather than at specific venues or ‘clean zones’ leading thereto as is the case in New Zealand.