To mark World Intellectual Property Day, celebrated every 26 April by WIPO and themed in 2026 as “IP and sport: on your marks, get set, innovate!”, PONS IP is reinforcing its commitment to innovation, sport and the strategic protection of knowledge – three areas that are increasingly interconnected in a highly competitive and technological environment.
High-performance sport has become a veritable laboratory for innovation, where artificial intelligence, data analysis, new materials and advanced engineering play a decisive role in improving performance and decision-making.
From patents that protect new materials, biomedical technologies or high-performance equipment, to the trademarks that embody the value, reputation and global reach of clubs, leagues and sports companies; from design, which combines functionality, aesthetics and differentiation, to copyright and broadcasting rights, which underpin the audiovisual and digital ecosystem of modern sport; through licensing models, sponsorships and the commercial exploitation of intangible assets, and the management and resolution of IP disputes, sporting innovation is only truly consolidated when underpinned by a robust and expert protection strategy.
This week, the consulting firm PONS IP has released a special episode of its podcast Privilegios de Invención, now available on major audio platforms such as Spotify and Ivoxx, which examines the impact of technological innovation on sport and sports medicine from a strategic perspective.
The episode opens with an interview with sailor and Olympic medallist Diego Botín, who offers a first-hand account of how technology is transforming Olympic sailing and international competitions such as SailGP, where he leads the Spanish team, Los Gallos. Data, advanced materials, simulation and real-time decision-making are all part of a conversation that links innovation, performance and knowledge.
The podcast concludes with a panel discussion exploring the link between sport, artificial intelligence and industrial property, focusing on IA‑THLETICS, the AI platform launched by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) in partnership with IBM and Habber Tec. The discussion features Raúl Chapado, president of the RFEA; Elisa Rodríguez Ortiz, director of the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM); and Ana Herrera, director of Patents and Technological Development at PONS IP, who provide complementary perspectives from the institutional, technological and business spheres.
PONS IP’s commitment and engagement will continue on Tuesday 28 April with the professional conference “Innovation and Intellectual Property in Sport”, to be held in Madrid. The event is organised by PONS IP in partnership with GSIC powered by Microsoft, as part of the Scale Lab and EDIH Madrid Region 2.0 projects. The event will bring together companies, start-ups, investors and experts to discuss trends, real-world examples of SportsTech, open innovation and opportunities for collaboration within the sports ecosystem. If you would like to attend the event, you can still sign up here.
Happy World IP Day!
