At the conference “From Idea to Victory: The Synergy of Intellectual Property and Sports,” held in Vilnius on April 16, 2026, Vadim Gasperskij, Head of the Legal Department of the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (LRTK), delivered a presentation on the challenges of protecting sports content and the application of legal regulation in the digital environment.

The presentation highlighted that the value of the sports industry is increasingly concentrated in the creation, distribution, and commercial exploitation of audiovisual content. As a result, intellectual property protection has become a key prerequisite for the sustainable functioning of the sector.

V. Gasperskij noted that within the areas supervised by the LRTK — audiovisual media services and content distribution — the number of complex cases involving the unlawful use of sports content in the digital environment continues to grow.

“The greatest challenges arise in areas where the boundaries remain unclear — between lawful use of content and intellectual property infringements. This is particularly relevant in the context of social media, user-generated content, and illegal streaming platforms,” said V. Gasperskij.

The presentation identified several key “grey areas,” including unauthorized online sports broadcasts, the distribution of fragmented content such as short clips, uncertainty surrounding the limits of platform responsibility, and difficulties related to cross-jurisdictional enforcement.

Particular attention was also given to the need for rapid response mechanisms.

“Intellectual property infringements occur in real time, meaning that their prevention and removal require not only legal measures, but also technological solutions and effective cooperation mechanisms,” the LRTK representative noted.

V. Gasperskij emphasized that legal regulation alone is not sufficient — consistent cooperation between institutions, rights holders, and digital platforms is essential. In carrying out its responsibilities, the LRTK seeks to ensure compliance with legal requirements in the audiovisual media sector and contribute to the effective implementation of intellectual property protection measures.

The LRTK’s participation in the conference reflects the institution’s continued focus on digital content regulation, its efforts to strengthen supervisory practices, and its commitment to adapting to the evolving challenges facing both the sports industry and the technological environment.