ITALY Law and Practice Contributed by: Maurizio Marullo, Giorgio Vagnoni, Francesco Amoresano and Fausto Consolo, LAWP Studio legale e tributario
• 50% of funding is based on the federation’s success in elite sports competition; • 30% is tied to the overall number of people actively participating in the sport governed by the federation; and • 20% is based on efficiency and sustainability in sport management. Unsurprisingly, football receives the largest share of funding. This reflects its dominant posi - tion within the Italian sports industry, generating 70% of the annual sports tax revenue. 4.4 Recent Deals/Trends As of the 2024/2025 season, it is interesting to note that the majority of Serie, A football clubs are foreign-owned. Specifically, 11 out of 20 teams belong to foreign entities, including 8 from the United States. This trend is in line with what is also happening in the European arena, with players from the Mid - dle East, Asia and North America investing large sums in European football. It is also remarkable how, in Italy, this trend also involves smaller clubs from lower categories. 5. Intellectual Property, Data and Data Protection 5.1 Trade Marks Registration of a Trade Mark Italian trade marks can be registered by submit - ting an application form containing: • the trade mark features (type, name, descrip - tions, colours, etc); • the product categories for which the request is filed; • the applicant data; and
• if necessary, a fast-track request and further relevant documents. The Italian Trademarks Office (UIBM) then eval - uates the admissibility and correctness of the application and publishes it in the Trademarks Bulletin for a three-month opposition period. If no valid opposition arises, the trade mark is registered. It is also possible to obtain EU trade mark pro - tection by filing a registration request at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) or by requesting an EU extension of a registered Italian trade mark within six months from the national registration request. The EUI - PO route is often the preferred one, given the possibility for the applicant to obtain registration The Italian Intellectual Property Code establishes limitations to trade mark registrations, such as: • well-known signs in art, literature, science, politics, sports, etc, unless the holder of said signs express their consent; • trade marks identical or similar to another trade mark regarding similar or identical prod - ucts, in case it may cause confusion among valid in the entire European Union. Registration Limits and Advantages the public or the later trade mark can take advantage of the reputation of the earlier one; • signs without distinctive character; • signs that are unlawful or deceptive; and • geographical indications and denominations of origin with the potential to mislead the public or involving an undue exploitation of the protected name’s reputation. Despite the above limits, Italian courts nowa - days allow sports clubs to register trade marks bearing the name of the town they represent,
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