Abd Karim: Don’t use Sukma XXI logo, mascot without approval to sell merchandise

KUCHING (July 31): Unauthorised merchants should not be selling merchandise using the official logo and mascot of the upcoming 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma) without first obtaining approval from the authority.

Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in stating this said it was common for official logos, mascots and designs of any major sports events to be registered as an intellectual property by organisers.

“In whatever major programmes, whether it is Sukma, South East Asian (SEA) Games or the Olympics that are being organised, the organiser always has the rights over the official logo and mascot, unless approval has been granted for the reproduction of these designs,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at a press conference at Baitulmakmur II building here today.

“Our hope is that those outside will not produce their own merchandise (for the upcoming Sukma) and engage in profit-taking activity from there,” he added.

Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) has issued a statement on Tuesday warning against unauthorised use of the official logo and mascot for the upcoming Sukma competitions as it is considered as an infringement of SMA’s intellectual property rights under the Copyright Act 1987.

The statement was in response to the sales of unofficial merchandise bearing the official designs of Sukma 2024 surfaced online recently.