Referees are about to lose their 'treasure' because FIFA violated copyright

(Baonghean.vn) - According to The New York Times, a court in Brazil has just asked FIFA to immediately stop the use of self-destructing spray paint on football fields worldwide due to disrespect for copyright issues.

The self-destructing spray paint can is an extremely useful football invention for referees by inventor Heine Allemagne. He had to spend 14 years researching for the tool that is considered a "treasure" of football referees.

Heine Allemagne, inventor of self-destructing spray paint for referees. Photo: Internet

The self-destructing paint helps referees easily create a 9.15m gap between the kicker and the opposing team's wall of players. This tool significantly reduces dead ball time and maintains the necessary excitement for spectators when watching because it automatically disappears after 60 seconds.

However, the self-destructing spray paint is causing trouble for the World Football Federation due to copyright issues and may be sued and fined. A court in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) has just asked FIFA to immediately stop the use of self-destructing spray paint on football fields worldwide due to disrespect for copyright issues.

Argentine inventor Pablo Silva and his partner patented the invention and then began manufacturing the self-destructing paint. Currently, Allemagne and Silva have patented the self-destructing spray paint in 44 countries around the world.

Backed by a former Argentine Football Federation official, self-destructing paint was first used in an Argentine Second Division match in 1998 and has been widely used since 2012.

Self-destructing spray paint has been used in Vietnam since 2016. Photo: Internet

According to The New York Times, FIFA negotiated to buy the copyright of the self-destructing spray paint in early 2014, but Allemagne and Silva refused to accept the $500,000 because they thought it was too low. After more than 320 cans of paint were used in the 2014 World Cup, FIFA suddenly stopped discussing the copyright. FIFA denied Allemagne and Silva's creation while the two co-creators were determined to protect their patent rights.

In August 2017, both filed a lawsuit against FIFA in a Rio de Janeiro court, demanding that the organization stop using self-destructing spray paint in matches. In addition to demanding $100 million in compensation, the court affirmed that if the violations continue, FIFA will be fined $15,000 for each match, according to information from The New York Times./.

Trung Kien

(Synthetic)