Fishman Stewart’s sports law practice takes a closer look at intersection of sports and intellectual property – and sees a lot of action
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Troy, Mich.—April 17, 2026—Dedicated to raising public awareness about the importance of encouraging innovation and creativity throughout the world, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) annually observes World Intellectual Property Day on April 26 to showcase the role that patents, trademarks, industrial designs, copyrights and trade secrets play in our everyday lives. This year’s theme, IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate, is an especially topical one for Fishman Stewart given the firm’s growing sports law practice group.
“While Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) is often the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of sports and IP, the world of sports law is vast and growing. It includes fashion, technology, health, manufacturing, design, equipment, online gaming, and the list goes on,” according to Fishman Stewart attorney, Deb Schneider, who leads the firm’s sports law practice. “World IP Day is a chance to recognize the role IP plays in all aspects of our lives – including exercise, play and entertainment in the context of sports.”
According to the WIPO website, “World Intellectual Property Day 2026 celebrates how creativity and innovation, backed by IP rights, keep the world of sports thriving, dynamic and accessible for everyone, everywhere.” The esteemed IP organization wants to “…honor the contributions of the creators, inventors and entrepreneurs working behind the scenes to push the boundaries of athletic performance, improve audience experience and bring sports events to every home.”
The theme coincides with recent posts from Fishman Stewart’s popular FishBits segment, part of the FishTank content series, which provides quick and fun summaries on IP in pop culture. Recent contributor and sports law practice group member Hunter DeSantis described one of the early playbooks for mastering NIL in this March Madness post. In another post, Schneider – who is also an adjunct faculty member teaching sports law – looks at how SmartWatch data can guide an athlete faster than a coach can.
Fishman Stewart has historical ties to World IP Day. Managing Partner Michael Stewart has been recognized for devoting time and effort in promoting the initial World IP Day programs throughout the United States, and Paul Ratzmann, of counsel, was a committee member in early World IP Day events.
To celebrate World IP Day 2026 in the United States, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and other organization partners are hosting an event on April 29, 2026, at the Hart Building in Washington, D.C. Information on the event can be found here
About the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Established in 1967, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information, and cooperation. As a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 194 member states, its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. For more information, visit https://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/.
About AIPLA
Founded in 1897, AIPLA (American Intellectual Property Law Association) is a national bar association that aims to maintain a high standard of professional ethics, to aid in the improvement in laws relating to intellectual property and in their proper interpretation by the courts, and to provide legal education to the public and to its members on intellectual property issues. AIPLA is constituted primarily of practitioners in private and corporate practice, in government service, and in the academic community.
About Fishman Stewart PLLC
Fishman Stewart helps turn client creativity into valuable intellectual capital. Since its founding in 1996, the firm has obtained tens of thousands of patents and trademark registrations and represented clients in hundreds of cases in Federal Court. As strategic advisers to CEOs and senior executives, Fishman Stewart attorneys develop IP management strategies for U.S. and foreign-based companies to safeguard their business assets throughout the world. To discover how Fishman Stewart leverages intellectual property to effectively increase enterprise value, visit fishstewip.com.
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