| Our task is to assist and advise,
often steering a path through the most complex issues, and
providing practical and commercial solutions. When disputes
arise we prosecute or defend our clients' interests with vigour
and tenacity.
With the benefit of almost 50 years’ experience and
an impressive and long standing list of clients, we are at
the forefront of the TV, Broadcast and New Media sectors:
- We have been actively involved
in the introduction and establishment of digital television
in the UK since its inception.
- We advised ITV, Channel 4, Channel
5 and S4C on their digital broadcasting arrangements.
- We advise ITV Network on all aspects
of its operation. We advised on the establishment and launch
of ITV2. We have been engaged in
guiding successful ITC licence applications and resisting
subsequent challenge.
- We advise journalists, programme
makers and broadcasters on factual, news and documentary
programmes.
- We provide programme clearance
for a number of broadcasters – often at very short
notice – and deal with post-broadcast issues as they
arise. We also provide the same service for ISPs and website
owners in respect of their content.
- We deal with all aspects of film
and TV development, financing, production and exploitation.
- We regularly advise on carriage
contacts for cable, satellite and DTT and on the arrangements
for the provision of interactive services.
- We routinely advise on the establishment
of websites and their terms of access, creative management
and maintenance.
- We have extensive experience of
developing, drafting and negotiating a wide range of the
specialist contracts and deal documentation used in the
media industry.
- We are retained by the BBFC to
advise on film and video classification issues.
In addition to TV, Broadcasting and New Media, our expertise
covers a broad range of media areas: we handle an increasing
volume of legal, regulatory and contractual issues in print
media, film, sports and advertising. Whatever the medium,
we cover a wide range of contentious and non-contentious legal
issues.
Our media clients also face the daily issues that confront
any organisation, including employment law, property, joint
ventures and take-overs. In these and other matters, we draw
on the resources of the other specialist departments in our
firm.
Through our associated firms we also provide our clients
with access to the expertise of law firms across Europe and
North America.
In the UK and abroad, our strength reflects the needs of
our clients.
Key services
- Delivery Platforms
Multiplex contracts; transmission and broadcast arrangements;
Cable, satellite and DTT carriage arrangements; convergence.
- Clearance & litigation
Libel; breach of confidence; copyright; contempt of court;
media disputes.
- Regulatory
Broadcasting legislation & licensing; ITC codes; BSC
codes; film & video classification.
- Contractual
Writer & talent contracts; development deals; format
licences; film finance; co-production; production &
commissioning; acquisition, licensing merchandising; distribution.
- Corporate & commercial
Take-overs; joint ventures; shareholders' agreements; employment
advice & industrial relations.
- Lobbying
TV & broadcast legislation; digital TV; internet.
- Advertising
Copy clearance; advertising codes & regulations.
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Media team
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