Patent battle on the football pitch: Barca could pay € 30 million for using Supponor 'infringing technology'

FC Barcelona (referred to as Barcelona,Barça) may be due to the useSupponortechnology and pay huge amounts of money. Munich patent court rules that Barca useSupponorof electronic peripheral advertising technology, was ruled illegal infringement. Barcelona SuppliersSupponorAccused of stealingAIM Sportdeveloped technology.AIM Sportfor other football clubs (Sevilla, Real Madrid) and isSupponordirect competitors.

This against Barcelona.Rulingderived fromSupponorandAIM Sportbetween patent wars. Swiss CompanyAIM SportRight.SupponorFiled a pastent suit,Supponoris a UK provider of electronic perimeter advertising solutions for stadiums-Finnish companies. The Munich Patent Court in3 The decision was made at the end of the month (Case No:7 O 13502/20), the ruling results in favorAIM Sport. Because of this,SupponorIts hardware-based technology can no longer be used for electronic perimeter advertising in German stadiums. Apart from that,AIM SportAlso in the rightSupponorThe latest productsSupponor AirTake litigation action.

the court found that,SupponorViolated.AIM Sportof the patentEP 32 95 663The patent coversImage digital superposition technique, which is“Superimpose image digital information onto another image”. This peripheral advertising technology can be used inLEDAds for specific areas are placed on the board. When the Bundesliga is broadcast live internationally, broadcasters can tailor virtual perimeter advertising to regional target groups. In other words, the image on the stadium board can be individually modified according to different regions, and the digital information in the broadcast signal is superimposed. For example, a viewer in Germany might see an advertisement for German beer, while a viewer in Spain might see an advertisement for Spanish beer.

The judge sentencedSupponorStop sales in Germany, pay damages, provide information and destroy products. Judge Bans Sports Traders in Parallel LawsuitSportfiveUsing the technique (Case No:7 O 648/21）。SportfiveIn terms of virtual marketing andSupponorWork closely together and promote the advertising space globally. The judge also requestedSportfiveProvide relevant information and pay compensation.

Peripheral advertising technology requires the use of stadium cameras and other equipment. German Football League (German Football League, DFL) in2018/19Bundesliga season approved for useSupponorandAIM SportThese technologies are also used by other countries. Just two days before the Munich Patent Court's ruling, the German Football League also approvedSupponor AirThis makes the case even more explosive. AlthoughSupponor AirFor the latest generation of technology, its technology is entirely based on software. However, it is not clear whether the Munich ruling also covers the Bundesliga, which has been in use for some time.Supponor Air.AIM Sportaspect thatSupponor AirInfringement of patentEP 663, they may try to fight in the next stepSupponor Air.

This patent battle between the two companies involves huge sports business interests. Although other sports events can also implement the technology of the two companies, the estimated value of the advertising market for football alone is close 1 billion euros, with a focus on the lucrative football broadcast business,SupponorandAIM SportAll are provided with this technology.SupponorForEP 663The patent is invalid. The two companies will be7 The king will see the king again in the middle of the month, whenAIM SportofEP 663Will enter the relevant procedures. And in this year10 month, the two rivals will face off in a British court to vieperipheral advertisingThe use of technology in Premiership stadiums.

The patent battle affects not only the Bundesliga clubs that use the technology of the two companies, but also other European clubs. Previously usedSupponorThe club of technology is responsible for the profits made from the use of illegal technology, which may be worth more1000million euros. And2019Use from yearSupponorThe peripheral advertising technology of Barcelona, through this advertising technology and the use of regional sponsorship business, to increase the club with huge benefits in the millions of euros.ofIncome, BarcelonafaceAvailable to wearIt needs to bear more than 30 million compensation.