The stage is set and we’re all gearing up for a massive summer of… er, litigation?  Just ask the Fanatics, the Barmy Army and even Boony: all on the receiving end of copyright or trade mark infringement warnings and threats.

The Fanatics, an Australian sporting fan group, recently copped a bouncer when music publisher EMI threatened legal action against the group for copyright infringement. The offending breach? The Fanatics songbook (provided free at games and on the Internet), which contains alternate words to be sung to the tunes of famous songs including those of The Monkees, Cliff Richard and Robbie Williams.

Ultimately, EMI performed a smart U-turn and backed down following widespread public backlash. Thankfully, the government has simply legislated around the problem. Thanks, Phil.

Meanwhile the Fanatics’ rival (and rowdier) fan group, the Barmy Army, were smacked for a 6 of their own with threatened legal proceedings from the English Cricket Board (ECB) for the use of protected images on T-shirts. Word is the ECB has just asked the question regarding the Barmy Army’s use of ECB IP. Here at lightbulb we wonder about the political sense of an organisation attacking its own supporters.

And not even Australian cricket legend (and current Test selector) David Boon is safe from the perils of IP infringement – even from Cricket Australia. His latest book, Boony’s Ashes, allegedly used Cricket Australia’s registered trade marks without its permission.

It turns out Cricket Australia has a healthy portfolio of 74 registered trade marks, including "the Ashes", "Test series" and "Test match" and the image of the Ashes urn (left). Whilst Boony’s book eventually escaped the wrath of Cricket Australia, lightbulb wonders if other materials by people other than current selectors or former legends of the game will receive the same treatment.

So here's our declaration.

For IP owners, sensitivity is the name of the game when it comes to IP enforcement. Take care with your friendly fire.

For IP users and consumers, be aware that intellectual property is a pervasive law and is increasingly common amongst organisations such as sporting groups, private schools and other areas where you might least expect it. Unless you’re Boony, such organisations will be unlikely to let a legal infringement simply go through to the keeper.

Keywords: intellectual property management, litigation, sports law, branding, sports trademarks, corporate policies