Players meet BCCI over ambush marketing

Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra met BCCI President Shashank Manohar yesterday to sought clarification on the so-called ambush marketing.

Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra met BCCI President Shashank Manohar yesterday to sought clarification on the so-called ambush marketing.

The ICC sent out a memo on October 26 last year imposing restrictions on players endorsing products that are in direct conflict with World Cup sponsors.
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It recently formed a 100 strong anti-infringement team to track those using directly or deceptively the name, logo and mascot of the event, due to start on February 19.

"During the period of seven days prior to the first match and the departure date of the team, squad members may not allow their name, likeness or image to be used by any third party in any advertising or endorsement (or for any other commercial purpose) wearing team kit, team uniform or practice kit," reads the ICC memo to players.

"Our primary responsibility is to protect the rights of our broadcasters, sponsors and partners who have made significant investments.

Ambush marketing, protection of intellectual property rights, counterfeit merchandise and online piracy are just some of the avenues that have to be monitored," says ICC Legal Head David Becker.

But the ICC has allowed players to appear in an advertisement or an endorsement during the mega-event if they wear cricket whites or "any other casual formal or leisure wear", provided they don't appear in the national colours of their team and there is no direct association with the World Cup or usage of logos of the ICC or the tournament.

What came out of the meeting?

Extra time for commercials: BCCI has allowed players to shoot ads before the tournament provided they are not aired during the World Cup

CLT20 issue sorted: Players won't have to bear a 20 per cent pay cut if their respective IPL franchise fails to qualify for Champions League T20.

Same pay for reserves: The playersu00a0 requested for payments of Rs 4 lakh for not just the playing XI but also the four reserves.

Hence,u00a0 players will be shooting a few commercials before the World Cup despite joining the camp at Bengaluru on Feb 9.

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