MEXICO Law and Practice Contributed by: Héctor Kuri, Ricardo García, Lisandro Herrera and Xavier Careaga, Galicia Abogados, S.C.
Sponsorship contracts are personalised to regulate specific rights according to the individual’s or event’s characteristics, with rights and obligations for both parties; agreements are commonly time-limited with extension possibilities. 2.3 Broadcasting Rights In Mexico, broadcasting is monetised through adver - tising, sponsorship revenue, and subscription-based models (pay TV and streaming). Free-to-air television remains important for reach, while digital platforms have become key buyers of premium sports rights. Broadcasters operate under the Federal Telecommu - nications and Broadcasting Law ( Ley Federal en mate- ria de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusión or LFMTR), but commercial exploitation is primarily driven by con - tractual media rights agreements. Revenue is generated through advertising sold around live matches, sponsorship integrations, subscription fees, and pay-per-view for premium events. Broad - casters access venues through accreditation and per - missions granted by organisers, typically addressed in media rights agreements. The broadcast feed is protected as an audiovisual work; ownership and exploitation rights are determined by contract, whilst organisers retain trade marks and event-related IP. Proprietary rights in Mexican sports are rooted in the commercial exploitation of events. While the event itself is not copyright-protected, audiovisual footage and branding are protected under the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property ( Ley Federal de Protección a la Propiedad Industrial or LFPPI) and the Federal Copyright Law ( Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor or LFDA). Organisers secure exclusivity through trade mark registrations of event names, logos, and mascots, while controlling economic rights to the broadcast signal. Access is regulated through ticket - ing terms and accreditation systems for media. The LFPC, enforced by PROFECO, mandates trans - parency in ticketing and grants consumers robust 3. Sports Events 3.1 Proprietary Rights and Event Management
rights, including the right to a full refund (often with 20% compensation) in the event of cancellation, postponement, or material changes to the advertised programme. This consumer-centric oversight has become increasingly active as Mexico prepares for major international influxes, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Events are structured within SINADE, which bridges federal authorities (CONADE), state and municipal governments, and the private sector. Security respon - sibilities are bifurcated: event organisers manage internal venue security, while municipal authorities manage surrounding public areas through co-ordina - tion agreements. Participation of athletes, coaches, and officials is gov - erned by the statutes and disciplinary regulations of the relevant National Sports Associations, registered with the National Sports Registry ( Registro Nacional de Cultura Física y Deporte or RENADE), which estab - lish technical standards, eligibility requirements, and ethical codes. 3.2 Duty of Care and Liability Sports event organisers in Mexico owe a duty of care grounded in the Federal Civil Code, which establishes that those who cause damage through negligence must provide restitution. The LGCFD requires organis - ers to maintain safe facilities and implement adequate security and medical protocols. Organisers may seek to limit liability through waivers, assumption of risk clauses, and liability insurance. However, Mexican law prohibits exclusion of liability for death or personal injury, gross negligence or wil - ful misconduct, and minimum consumer rights under the LFPC. Athletes may be held liable to spectators where their conduct causes direct harm beyond the normal scope of play. Under the Federal Civil Code, organisers or clubs may be held liable ( responsabilidad objetiva ) for damages caused by those under their authority dur - ing the event. Since April 2023, the Incode Fan ID system has been mandatory for entry to all Liga MX matches, managing
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