According to a report from the New York Times, the dispute regarding EA Sports’ FIFA series potentially changing its name in the coming years is as a result of the related ‘cost and new revenue streams,’ though exclusivity rights are also claimed to be a factor.
The report claims that “the core of the dispute is financial,” with FIFA seeking more than double what it’s currently receiving from EA Sports for the use of its licensing. According to the report, FIFA is seeking an increase in the payout amount to “more than $1 billion for every four-year World Cup cycle.”
The New York Times does also claim that the dispute between EA Sports and FIFA isn’t just about money, but what the video game publisher’s exclusive rights should include.
FIFA apparently would “prefer to limit EA’s exclusivity to the narrow parameters around use in a soccer game,” while EA Sports contends it should be “allowed to explore other ventures within its FIFA video game ecosystem, including highlights of actual games, arena video game tournaments and digital products like NFTs.”
This report follows the news last week from an EA press release that the company was “exploring the idea of renaming our global EA Sports football games.”
A decision regarding the outcome of the dispute between EA Sports and FIFA is expected by the end of this year, but EA Sports already seems to be making plans for a future without the FIFA licensing, registering two trademarks — one in the European Union and the other in Britain, for the phrase ‘EA Sports F.C.’ (credit to VGC for spotting this).
The renaming of EA Sports’ football games in the future wouldn’t impact any of the other 300+ licensing agreements it has with organizations like UEFA, domestic leagues and competitions around the world which allow the publisher to use the names and likeness of players, club teams and leagues in its games.
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