Man of the Match copyright

justsomebloke

Quick query is it possible for an organisation to copyright terms that have been around for years in terms of the competitions they run.

The reason I ask is that at Leinster matches this year they now have an MVP for the game instead of a MOTM. When asked on facebook they came back with

Leinster Rugby wrote:

The PRO12 have the rights on MOM so that is why we used MVP

Given how long the term MOTM has been used for I didn't think it was possible for someone to have the rights to a phrase.

Now I know for branding reasons the sponsors may want to have it as MVP but the question is more based on can an organisation holds rights on the phrases used in reference to it?

Pro12 have the rights to name the Man of the Match I'd imagine and so Leinster name an MVP instead to circumvent this in all likelihood.

Pro12 are the organising body and they can set whatever rules they like really, within reason.

Besides all that what does it matter what they call it? Do Leinster ever give it to anyone other than Isa Nacewa anyway?

Jev/N

I don't think they can via copyright AFAIK, it's more a trademark issue and certainly MOTM wouldnt be a likely TM as it's something quite commonly used.

Maybe someone else might be able to assist further..

CIARAN_BOYLE

Even if its not a legal thing Pro 12 can write it into the rules of the tournament no team or organisation affiliated with a team can use the name MOTM without penalties where penalties are written out. It would then be a condition to playing in the league

Robbo

I think it's quite apt, given the American style razzmatazz the announcer in the RDS/Landsdowne attempts to introduce.