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FIFA and the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) have agreed to cooperate in the fight against piracy of intellectual property. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and INPI President Jorge Ávila signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Home of FIFA in Zurich today (March 5).

FIFA and INPI share the understanding that the protection of trademarks combined with educational and informative actions play a crucial role in the fight against piracy of intellectual property and agreed to join forces and develop common strategies.

This general cooperation with Brazil's national register is primarily designed to assist in the protection of FIFA trademark rights in Brazil well in advance of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, focusing on prevention rather than punishment.

Since the registration of its trademarks is very important for FIFA in the fulfilment of its aims, FIFA puts great emphasis and resources into a global trademark registration programme. INPI have decided to take FIFA's trademark registration programme in Brazil as a model to educate the public about the protection of intellectual property.

As part of the agreement, INPI and FIFA will coordinate their actions with other Brazilian entities in this area of activity, such as customs, the police and public prosecutors. INPI will also be able to use its network of local offices throughout Brazil to inform the public about FIFA's intellectual property and anti-counterfeit programme.

(Source: FIFA)