BAA DECRIES COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Following a stellar performance by local athletes at the recently concluded Athletics U20 World Championships, the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA), has recently sent a strong message, warning companies and individuals to desist from using the association logo and the athletes to gain millage without the consent of the association.
The athletes won a Bronze Medal and overall ranking at Position 7 out of 116 Nations, 958 athletes and 45 events, at the just ended WU20 Championships.
“This is a great feat. In the process, new regional and national records were set. BAA is the only body in Botswana affiliated to the World Athletics (WA), the athletics global governing body. There are individual athletes who shone brightest in the process, pocketing 3 Gold and a Silver medal for the country, thus attracting much attention from the public and the business community, both locally and internationally, ”a letter signed by Association president, Bothale Phaphane reads.
“This has resulted in some individuals and business establishments using the BAA brand and logo and, in some instances, National Team athletes’ images on their advertisements
and therefore in the process identifying themselves with the BAA brand and logo and its athletes without prior authorisation and consent of the BAA.” Only the use of athletes’ images, by National Team athletes, for their personal use is allowed and does not require prior authorisation and consent of the BAA. “Anyone who shall be in breach of the above shall be liable for copyrights breach. We further advice that there shall be no media interviews of whatever nature with any National team athletes, coaches and any BAA official without prior authorisation and consent of the BAA (Secretariat).”
Recently, the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) also sent a similar message during the Tokyo Olympics, warning businesses and individuals from using the images of the athletes as well as the Olympics logo without permission.