Inventor Of Vanishing Spray Considering Suing FIFA Over Perceived Copyright Violation

Fernando Ortiz, who in '00 "invented an aerosol for the vanishing spray used in football to temporarily mark penalty kicks," will take legal action against FIFA for copyright violation, according to the EFE. Ortiz announced that he "created the aerosol with immediately disappearing paint" because he had observed disputes over a "lack of precision on penalty kick location and a tendency of defensive walls to creep forward at free-kicks." After "coming up with this invention and a patent, Ortiz sent FIFA a letter with an explanatory video, inviting the federation to buy the rights to the technology or reach an agreement with him." Months later, Ortiz "received a letter from FIFA lamenting the lack of realism and visibility of this aerosol." FIFA's letter to Ortiz said that "the measure would not be viable because 'in just minutes the grass would be completely covered in colored marks, making it impossible to see the exact spot.'" Ortiz said that FIFA then "surprisingly stole the rights when it announced that it would use the technology for the upcoming World Cup." Due to this, "Ortiz asked through a letter sent by his lawyer for the withdrawal of the advertising." Ortiz: "If FIFA does not act and withdraw this, we will take legal action and sue because this is patented and I will not stand with my arms crossed" (EFE, 3/30).