Breeding & Racing Magazine

IFHA Call For Bet Firms To Pay For Data & Pics

The International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities (the global racing industry body with members from over 50 countries) called upon government representatives of the "United Nations" World Intellectual Property Right Organisation (meeting this week in Geneva to discuss a new Broadcasting Treaty) to improve the legal protection of racing data & images". IFHA exective director Maurits Bruggink declared: "With a race somewhere in the world every 3 minutes 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, horseracing is the main driver of the betting industry. It is also an expensive product to produce & it is therefore absolutely fair & normal that betting operators who base their business model on our activity contribute to its costs. Racing data & images are the commercial result of our activity for which operators should rightfully pay." The IFHA urged WIPO member countries "to introduce specific provisions to protect distribution through new digital platforms, like simulcasting & webcasting" which allow for "real-time viewing of races, which is particularly relevant for betting & therefore sensitive for piracy".