Unlicensed advertising that would unfairly exploit the America’s Cup is restricted by a protective order issued by economic development minister Grant Gibbons.

Dr Gibbons said in a statement: “The order is tailored and necessary to prevent unauthorised commercial exploitation of the Louis Vuitton World Series event and the 35th America’s Cup, particularly since the event village and certain on-the-water areas around the race course will be open to the public.”

The minister said restrictions are required in order to protect the commercial interests of the America’s Cup Event Authority and any of its designated commercial partners from “ambush marketing” — an issue that has arisen in previous America’s Cup events and other international sporting events.

An example of ambush marketing would include actively promoting brands that are not official sponsors of the event.

He continued: “The order is also necessary to protect the interest of the 59 local individuals and small businesses who have paid to exhibit their goods and/or provide goods and services in connection with the staging of the event.“

The special order prohibits the exhibition or distribution of any advertisement in any public place within a defined area along the waterfront, unless authorised in writing by the America’s Cup Event Authority.

The Order also covers business proprietors and operators working from a permanent structure within the restricted area, who will be prohibited from exhibiting, on or attached to the permanent structure, any advertisement that is clearly visible from anywhere within the restricted area or the race course area — and which is outside the scope of that person’s normal course of business; or appears to be an attempt to associate with the event, unless authorised in writing by the America’s Cup Event Authority.

The Order also covers advertisements on watercraft that are clearly visible from the restricted area or race course area unless authorised in writing by the America’s Cup Event Authority.