Olga Kostyshyna Spoke at the SPORT & IP Forum

Olga Kostyshyna, Counsel and Head of the International Arbitration practice at LCF Law Group, Chair of the Sports Law Committee of the Ukrainian Bar Association, spoke at the SPORT & IP Forum on 23 April on the topic 'How to Protect a Sports Brand in Practice, Not Just on Paper.'

The event brought together representatives of the sports industry, lawyers, and intellectual property specialists.

In her presentation, Olga emphasised that effective protection of a sports brand begins not at the moment of a dispute, but at the contract drafting stage. It is at that point that the conditions are established that determine subsequent control over rights. Engaging a lawyer during negotiations with federations or advertisers is therefore not an option — it is a necessity.

The discussion covered the following topics:

• the importance of correctly drafted dispute clauses
• the choice between state courts and arbitration and its impact on dispute outcomes
• the role of international sports institutions in resolving conflicts
• practical aspects of rights protection in cross-border disputes

A brand in modern sport is a full-fledged asset. And like any asset, it requires competent legal support. Errors in contract structure often prove far more costly than resolving the dispute itself.