FIFA: "Gaming and esports must involve more than one party controlling and exploiting all rights"

"FIFA is bullish and optimistic about its long-term future in gaming and esports" and it "must involve more than one party controlling and exploiting all rights," announced the international body on 15/10/2021.

FIFA was reacting to a statement made by Cam Weber, CEO of EA Sports, on 07/10/2021: "As we look ahead, we're exploring the idea of renaming our global EA Sports football games. This means we're reviewing our naming rights agreement with FIFA."

The publisher of the Electronic Arts group has been using the name and assets of FIFA for its "FIFA" video game since 1993. The current contract between the world governing body and the American publisher is due to expire at the end of 2022.

EA Sports filed the license name "EA Sports FC" with the UK Intellectual Property Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office "in early October," according to international media reports on 12/10/2021.

"FIFA will adopt a new commercial positioning in gaming and esports to ensure that it is best placed to make decisions that benefit all football stakeholders. The relationship and…