S&W The Pulse

The importance of tax for professional sports people, part two; in this episode with Martin Rankin, we discuss the tax liability issues contented with image rights.Listen to part one on ‘Current issues with agent’s fees’.What is an image right?Image rights concerns the various rights an individual holds of their own persona, it is something that is intangible and they rightfully exist in varying degrees for commercial appeal. For example, could be someone’s name, nickname, photograph, likeness, signature, personal brand, a slogan, logos associated with the player etc.One of the phrases that the tax authorities state is the concept of an image right is one that is not recognised under English Law. It certainly is recognised in other jurisdictions such as France, Germany, the US. The Guernsey authorities have now produced a register where a high-profile or not so high-profile individual; living or dead, can come forward with the executors (in the case of deceased person) to register image rights as an asset tha