Company warns of legal threat as 2022 Fifa World Cup preparations get underway
Aspire Zone Foundation, patent-holders of the much-talked about stadium cooling technology, which apparently played a central role in Qatar's winning bid to host the Football World Cup in summer 2022, have issued a warning against potential copyright infringers.
In adverts running in the UAE's local dailies, the firm has reiterated that it is the 'exclusive owner of intellectual property rights relating to the innovative engineering concept concerning the design of the new air-conditioning control system inside football courts and open spaces...."
The warning continued, cautioning any company, foundation, natural and legal persons against dealing with any entity for the purchase, import and of installation of such a patented system.
Aspire's statement added: "The company reserves all its legal rights, both civilly and criminally against whoever deals in such units or devises with no prior approval from Aspire Zone Foundation."
The cooling system was tested successfully last September when the Fifa inspection committee saw the technology in action in a show stadium in Qatar.
Harnessing solar power, the system is expected to bring the sizzling up to 50 degrees Celsius temperatures down to a more pleasant 27ᵒC.
Each of the 12 stadiums, training facilities and fan zones will be equipped with this cooling technology.
It has been reported that the cooling would originate from under-seat fans, which will be further aided by the design of the stadium with moveable stadium roofs that can be closed to keep the intense heat out.
Experts believe that such a technology has the potential to allow Gulf nations to host big sporting events more often, and around the year.
Fifa 2022 is scheduled to take place across seven host cities and 12 stadiums in Qatar, nine of which are being built for the occasion.
Three stadiums will be renovated before 2020 and the new stadiums will be built by 2021.
© Emirates 24|7 2013
