As the organisation of Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games evolves, we observe increasing interest from people and companies in the procurement of products and services associated with the world’s biggest sport events.
Concurrently, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (Rio 2016 Committee) faces the increasing challenge of meeting the commitments related to the protection of the brands owned by the IOC – International Olympic Committee, IPC – International Paralympic Committee and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Rio 2016 Games).
The first two are particularly important for the financing of the Oympic and Paralympic Committees, respectively, including support to the different editions of the Games. And the Rio 2016 ones are also crucial for the project to be developed in the carioca capital.
Today there are high expectations on the possible use of the Rio 2016 Games brands. However, it is important to observe that such use may only occur in very specific cases and under conditions previously agreed between the Rio 2016 Committee and its official partners.
The proper financing of the Games strongly relies upon the support of the commercial partners. Accordingly, every effort is being made to protect the intellectual property of the Games, investments made by the sponsors and their respective rights of exclusive association with Rio 2016 Games.
One must always take into account that the best way to support the Games is to comply with the brand protection and its use rules.
Protecting the intellectual property of the Rio 2016 Committee is essential for the success of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, guaranteeing the success of the event, which will be held in Brazil and South America for the first time ever.
Click here to download the Brand Protection Guideline for Advertising Marketing.
Click here to download Brand Protection Guideline for Tourism, Hotel and Leisure Sector.
Click here to download the Sports Organisations guideline.
Please find below some of the most frequently asked questions related to the Rio 2016 brands. If your doubt is not immediately clarified, you may send it to protecaoasmarcas@rio2016.com.
All brands which make up the intellectual property group of:
For further information on the aforementioned brands please visit www.olympic.org, www.paralympic.org, www.rio2016.com, www.cob.org.br and www.cpb.org.br.
Please find below some of the main protected Games brands:
In addition to the actual brands, there are also several expressions which are registered as a property of IOC and IPC, which are safeguarded by Rio 2016 Committee.
Some examples of these expressions are: “Olympic”, “Olympiad”, “Olympic Games”, “Paralympic”, “Paralympiad”, “Paralympic Games”, “Olympic Games”, “Rio 2016” and “Olympic and Paralympic Games”.
Their variations and translations, which also make up the Olympic and Paralympic intellectual property, are equally protected. The use of such expressions is often sufficient to create an improper association with the Games, either directly or indirectly.
In addition to the main protected brands, expressions and designations, there is a set of symbols which are also protected. Some brands within this group stand out, such as, for example, the Olympic and Paralympic torch, the Olympic and Paralympic flag, as well as mascots, medals and historical images of other Games editions, besides the Olympic (Citius, Altius, Fortius” — “Faster, Higher and Stronger”, in Latin) and Paralympic anthems (“Spirit in Motion”).
Besides the expressions, symbols and other protected properties mentioned above, there are others which are not limited to the mentioned examples. For further detail, please visit: www.olympic.org, www.paralympic.org, www.rio2016.com, www.cob.org.br and www.cpb.org.br.
The success of the Games chiefly depends on the support of commercial partners. They acquire sponsorship quotas, licensing, concessions and box office, among other possibilities, and thereby are entitled to associate their brands, products and services with the Olympic and Paralympic brands, as well as to that of Rio 2016.
Accordingly, these brands have a crucial value for the proper financing of the Games, which makes unauthorised use prevention measures indispensable.
Click here to access the Rio 2016 Games Sponsors and Supporters page.
Lei 9.279/96 – Brazilian Industrial Property Law protects the symbols of sport activities, and are not subject to registration. It characterises in article 195 as illicit enrichment the result of undue reproduction or counterfeiting, also foreseen as unfair competition criminal offences in the customer poaching mode.
Law 9,615/98 – Sports Law, also known as Lei Pelé – Pelé Law, which in articles 15 and 87, provides for the protection of Olympic symbols, and determines this is the sole property of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC).
Nairobi Treaty, which refers solely to the protection of Olympic symbols, of which Brazil is a signatory; it was ratified by the enactment of Decree-Law 90,129/84 in our country.
Law 9,610/98, which foresees that Olympic symbols are governed as the object of author’s rights and also by the norms related to the registration and protection of corporate names.
Law 8,078/90, also called the Consumer Defense Code, which consists of a consumer protection instrument against any confusion referring to misleading advertising; therefore, it prohibits associations with the Olympic Movement of companies not linked to the same.
Specific norms edited for Rio 2016 Games
Rio de Janeiro
Minas Gerais – Belo Horizonte
Bahia - Salvador
São Paulo
Important: In addition to being submitted to the aforementioned legislation, the official brands are registered worldwide with the corresponding intellectual property bodies.
Commercial partners, licensees, concessionaires, holders of the transmission right, among other official supporters, have the right to use the Rio 2016 brands, always with previous authorisation.
The government partners, who play a major role in the structuring of the Games, also hold the right to use Rio 2016 brands, provided that they are previously authorized by the Organising Committee.
The use of the brands for editorial and journalistic purposes is also permitted, provided that there is no type of commercial association with the brands.
Rio 2016 supports the use of brands, symbols and expressions in the education institutions for learning purposes, as this is a way to involve youths in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.
Nevertheless, if the brands are used in any educational project whose aim is to obtain sponsorship or support, the use may be submitted to the approval of Rio 2016.
If there is any interest in the use of the brands in learning material and/or educational projects or for editorial purposes, it is necessary to fil in a form and forward it to protecaoasmarcas@rio2016.com, requesting authorization for use. The cases will be individually evaluated.
Download the Intellectual Property application form.
Such possibility is only allowed to the official partners of Rio 2016 Games. Other entities, organisations, companies, etc which are not part of this group of partners may not use brands, symbols or official expressions associated with their respective products and services.
Rio 2016 Committee will select companies for supply of official products along the next 5 years. Companies which are interested in having their products associated with the Games must send an e-mail to the Games Licensing area: licenciamento@rio2016.com.
All companies interested in becoming a Rio 2016 supplier must fill out a registration form available at the Games official site: www.rio2016.com.
But beware of the following: all product and service demands for products and services for Rio 2016 are regularly informed on the website, in the ‘Goods and Services’ Section. The procurement, hiring and supply process will comply with legal rules, as determined by the competent bodies.
All job opportunities offered by Rio 2016 Organising Committee are available at www.rio2016.com, in the ‘Opportunities’ section. People who wish to apply must include their résumé for the job vacancy (ies) desired.
The production and sale of counterfeit products are considered as a crime. Today, Rio 2016 already works jointly with the authorities in the fight against counterfeit practices and the protection of official products.
However, you can also help these efforts! Any citizen who detects the sale of any Rio 2016 counterfeit product may collaborate, providing information on eventual irregularities by contacting the Rio 2016 Brand Protection area at the following e-mail address: protecaoasmarcas@rio2016.com.
As aforementioned, the Olympic and Paralympic brands are for restricted use only, and are legally protected. Whenever the misuse of any Games-related brand or symbol is observed, Rio 2016 Organising Committee must be immediately informed via e-mail (protecaoasmarcas@rio2016.com), in a message that presents evidence of the irregularity (with photo, video etc.).
Doubts and clarifications related to the Olympic, Paralympic and Rio 2016 Games property must be sent by email to protecaoasmarcas@rio2016.com.
