The Cayman Intellectual Property Office (CIIPO) highlighted the importance of intellectual property (IP) advancements in sport with a special pickleball event.
The ‘Pickleball tournament and open play’ on 26 April formed part of World IP Day, whose 2026 theme was ‘IP and sports: Ready, set, innovate’.
The aim of the theme, according to CIIPO, is to highlight the intersection of sports, technology and innovation, and emphase how intellectual property supports advancements in athletic performance, equipment and creative solutions.
In sports, IP protects sporting innovations such as high-performance equipment, wearable technology and sustainable designs, the organisation explained in a press release.
The pickleball event, at Pickleball Cayman in George Town, brought together teams from both the public and private sectors for an evening of friendly competition and IP learning.
Among those who attended was André Ebanks, premier and minister of financial services and commerce, who delivered opening remarks.
He told those gathered that IP drives advancement in every sector, and sports innovation is no exception.
“By protecting ideas and encouraging creativity, we enable our athletes, inventors, local creatives, and local entrepreneurs to reach new heights,” he explained.
The premier said recognising World IP Day reminds of the opportunities innovation brings to the Cayman Islands and to the world.
“This event is a reminder of the reason behind the work at CIIPO,” he added. “Kudos to the team for such an excellent execution of the pickleball tournament and open play.”
CIIPO director Terita Kalloo said IP rights have enabled sport to develop into a US$350 billion industry, “from the equipment athletes use, to the broadcasts fans watch, to the brands we love”.
“In sport, we talk a lot about the Most Valuable Player – MVP. But in business and innovation, the real MVP is IP protection itself,” she added.
In the release, CIIPO said Cayman continues to strengthen its IP framework, ensuring alignment with international standards, while supporting local innovation.
