Digicel maintains its rights are being infringed

Digicel, current sponsors of the West Indies team, has insisted their rights are being infringed in the deal between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and promoter Allen Stanford. It filed for an injunction before the High Court in London in respect of the proposed Stanford 20/20 match between England and the Stanford Superstars, which has a winner-take-all purse of US$20million, in Antigua on November 1.

According to a release from the company, "The injunction is being sought so as to protect Digicel's rights pending a full hearing of the dispute before an Arbitrator in London which is expected to take place later in the year."

The release added that Digicel has been forced to take this step for a number of reasons, "including confirmation received from both the WICB and Stanford that another telecommunications company is seeking to become involved as a sponsor for the proposed event. Such an involvement by another telecommunications provider would constitute another further extremely serious breach of the sole and exclusive rights that Digicel holds by virtue of its exclusive Sponsorship Agreement with the WICB."

In reaction to Digicel's legal proceedings, WICB CEO Donald Peters said on Wednesday: "We are going to contest this injunction. Our attorneys in London are working on it. Our position remains the same."

He explained: "We are not part of this (the Stanford 20/20 match) in that it is not our team, it is not a West Indies team that will be taking part, so Digicel's rights are not infringed. They are our sponsors but we disagree in this matter ... but we expect that common sense will prevail." For their part, Digicel said it has consistently stated they fully support and continue to support the proposed event.

"However, such support can only exist if Digicel's rights and entitlements are properly protected and observed. The WICB has steadfastly refused to do so. As such, Digicel has been left with no option other than to make this injunction application to the High Court in order to protect its sole and exclusive rights as primary sponsors of West Indies cricket."

According to Digicel, its Sponsorship Agreement with the WICB states that any team that "represents, purports to represent or could reasonably be perceived as representing the West Indies" is covered by the terms of Digicel's exclusive sponsorship deal.

"The position of both the WICB and Stanford is that the team that will play England on November 1 represents Stanford, and Stanford alone," the release said. "Digicel's position is that the 20/20 team is comprised of West Indies players and must therefore reasonably be seen to be a team representing the West Indies-and not one solely representing the interests of a private individual."

Digicel believe the Stanford 20/20 match falls within the parameters of Digicel's Sponsorship Agreement with the WICB and that the position in which Digicel finds itself "is in direct contrast to the respect and protection of rights that has been afforded to the sponsors of the England team (Vodafone) and which has been confirmed by both the WICB and Stanford."