Commercial Guidelines
Introduction:
Welcome to the T10 League Commercial Guidelines. These guidelines serve as a comprehensive framework to regulate and streamline all commercial activities associated with the league. By following these directives, all stakeholders contribute to fostering an environment of fairness, transparency, and consistency in commercial operations. These guidelines are also aligned with applicable Indian laws to ensure compliance and adherence to local regulations.
1. Sponsorship:
1.1. Sponsorship activities within the T10 League are exclusively reserved for entities that have received prior approval from the league management.
1.2. The following categories are strictly prohibited from engaging as sponsors within the league:
- Brands associated with alcoholic beverages
- Brands promoting tobacco or smoking-related products
- Betting and gambling platforms, including online betting apps and websites
- Companies dealing in gutka or similar products
- Any brand operating as a surrogate for the aforementioned categories
1.3. All sponsorship proposals must be formally submitted to the league management team for evaluation and subsequent approval.
1.4. The league management retains absolute discretion to decline any sponsorship proposal that conflicts with the league’s core values or overarching interests.
1.5. Franchise teams are not permitted to onboard sponsors that compete directly with the league’s title sponsor category, except for their designated “principal sponsor.”
1.6. All sponsorship agreements must comply with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) Code and relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
2. Advertising:
2.1. Advertising opportunities in the T10 League are open solely to advertisers who have secured prior approval from the league management.
2.2. Advertisements displayed within the league must adhere to established content standards, ensuring that they are free from offensive, inappropriate, or controversial material.
2.3. The following categories are strictly barred from advertising in the league:
- Alcoholic beverage brands
- Tobacco and smoking-related products
- Gambling and betting platforms, including surrogates
- Gutka or related products
- Advertisements that propagate hate speech, violence, or discrimination
2.4. All advertising placements will be subject to a rigorous approval process conducted by the league management.
2.5. Advertisements must comply with the ASCI guidelines, Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
3. Merchandising:
3.1. Merchandising rights within the league are granted exclusively to vendors who have been approved by the league management and respective franchise owners.
3.2. Vendors seeking to sell T10 League merchandise must obtain a formal license issued through the franchises in collaboration with the league management.
3.3. The sale of counterfeit or unauthorized merchandise is strictly prohibited and may result in legal consequences for the offenders.
3.4. Merchandising activities must adhere to intellectual property laws, including the Trademarks Act, 1999, and Copyright Act, 1957.
4. Broadcast Rights:
4.1. The broadcasting rights for all matches within the T10 League are reserved exclusively for authorized broadcasters.
4.2. Any unauthorized recording, live streaming, or distribution of league matches, in part or in full, is expressly forbidden.
4.3. The league management holds the sole authority to negotiate and allocate broadcasting rights to approved entities.
4.4. Broadcasters must comply with the PrasarBharati Act, 1990, and relevant broadcasting regulations issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
5. Ticketing:
5.1. Ticketing for the T10 League matches is managed through officially designated ticketing partners.
5.2. The unauthorized resale of tickets, particularly at inflated prices, is strictly disallowed.
5.3. Tickets procured through unauthorized channels may be rendered invalid at the discretion of the league management.
5.4. Ticketing practices must align with the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, and Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
6. Intellectual Property:
6.1. The name, logo, and other intellectual property associated with the T10 League are safeguarded under applicable copyright and trademark laws.
6.2. Unauthorized use of any intellectual property belonging to the league is prohibited and may lead to legal action.
6.3. The league management reserves the right to initiate criminal or civil proceedings under the Trademarks Act, 1999, and Copyright Act, 1957, against offenders.
7. Compliance:
7.1. All commercial activities conducted under the aegis of the T10 League must strictly adhere to prevailing local laws and regulatory frameworks, including but not limited to:
- The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (for international sponsorships and transactions)
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017 (for tax compliance on services and merchandise)
- The Information Technology Act, 2000 (for digital sponsorships and advertising)
7.2. Any violation of these guidelines may result in penalties, including but not limited to monetary fines, suspension of commercial privileges, or blacklisting of entities.
8. Review and Amendments:
8.1. These commercial guidelines are subject to periodic review and may be amended as deemed necessary by the league management.
8.2. Any updates or changes to these guidelines will be communicated promptly to all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance.
8.3. Stakeholders will be given a reasonable period to align their practices with any amendments.
Conclusion:
By committing to these commercial guidelines, all stakeholders contribute to upholding the integrity, professionalism, and reputation of the T10 League. The cooperation and adherence of all parties are vital to the league’s sustained success and growth. Additionally, compliance with Indian laws ensures the league operates within a robust legal framework, promoting ethical and lawful commercial practices
