Scotland Office to legislate to protect Glasgow 2014 image

26 Jan 2009

The UK Government will today step up its commitment to the successful delivery of Glasgow 2014 by moving to protect the image of the 20th Commonwealth Games.

The Scotland Office has announced that it will be taking forward legislation in the UK Parliament in May to protect the intellectual property rights of Glasgow 2014, and today the Intellectual Property Office launches an informal, three-month online consultation ahead of this.

Scotland Office minister Ann McKechin said:

"Glasgow 2014 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete the transformation of the city of Glasgow, particularly in the East End, and, combined with the London Olympics, has the potential to inspire young Scottish athletes for generations to come."

"Glasgow City Council has done a terrific job in securing the Games and their legacy for the city and the nation. As a proud Glaswegian and Scot I will be making sure that the UK Government does whatever we can to ensure their success - including also taking forward similar legislation nearer the time to make touting tickets for the Games an offence in the rest of the UK."

In order to meet the requirements laid down by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and protect the intellectual property rights of the 2014 Games it is necessary to create an 'association right' ? a form of intellectual property protection similar to that already conferred on the London 2012 Olympics that proactively safeguards economic interests where copyright and trademarks cannot. This is designed to prevent what is known as 'ambush marketing' ? where unofficial advertisers seek to profit from suggesting they are associated with the Commonwealth Games, which can be at the expense of designated sponsors.

As intellectual property is a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998, and so that this protection will apply across the UK, this will require secondary legislation to be taken forward in the UK Parliament.

Notes to editors

  • Intellectual property is a reserved matter under the Scotland Act 1998.
  • An Order will be taken forward by the Scotland Office under Section 104 of the Scotland Act in consequence of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Act 2008. The Section 104 Order is crucial in the creation of an association right and will be essential to the successful delivery of the Games.
  • In addition to the three-month consultation, the Section 104 Order will not come into force until six months after it is made by Scotland Office Ministers, to allow the advertising industry time to adapt.
  • The Scotland Office will also take forward a second Section 104 Order in consequence of the 2008 Act nearer to the date of the Games to make touting tickets for the Games an offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • The Intellectual Property Office consultation can be found at: Link opens in new windowhttp://www.ipo.gov.uk/policy-notices-glasgow.htm

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Nathaniel Mumford 0207 270 6875 / 07771 938878
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News Release: SS1471
Date: 26 Jan 2009