The Legal 500

Studio Professionale Associato a Baker & McKenzie’s Lorenzo de Martinis is noted for technology matters and Raffaele Giarda is recommended for telecommunications advice. Google was assisted in connection with the launch in Italy of the Nexus One smartphone, and Verisign advised on the new domain name system hosting service in Italy through data centres located both in and outside Italy. Wind Telecomunicazioni was assisted in regulatory matters concerning wireline and mobile services and networks in Italy.

DLA Piper has grown both in Milan and Rome, with the arrival of Italo de Feo and his team from Simmons & Simmons, Elena Martini from Trevisan & Cuonzo Avvocati, Chiara Garofoli from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Giulio Coraggio from Hogan Lovells Studio Legale. Traditionally strong in media, the practice’s experience includes negotiating contracts for platforms, including distribution and regulatory issues, and the launching of new technology applications. ‘Best in the class,’ Giangiacomo Olivi is ‘smart, visionary and committed’.

Portolano Colella Cavallo Studio Legale remains a leader in the TV/entertainment sector, with its representation of over 20 TV channels. The practice is also recommended for its work in the advertising, gaming, IT and e-commerce matters. Recent work includes DTT matters, strategic regulatory advice and assisting clients with the launch of their Italian operations. ‘Talented lawyer’ Francesco Portolano is recommended.

Bird & Bird LLP acts for British Telecom, Eutelia, H3G Italia, Infonxx – Il Numero Italia, and PosteMobile in TLC matters. Lenovo is assisted on a regular basis in IT issues such as website terms and conditions, terms and conditions for online sales, and supply of IT products. In media, WPP Holding Italy is a client. Eutimio Monaco is noted for telecommunications-related antitrust matters, and Osvaldo Lombardi also has significant experience in the communications sector.

Clients praise Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for its ‘knowledge of the client’s business’. The practice provides a broad range of advice on broadcasting and telecoms regulation, internet and e-commerce, privacy and data protection, research and outsourcing. The group is experienced in the regulatory issues concerning electronic communications and media, and assists in filings and proceedings before the Italian regulators as well as in disputes before the civil and administrative courts. ENEL Distribuzione was advised on its innovative project for the development and implementation of a remote-controlled system for electricity consumption metering and user management. Luca Ulissi’s ‘negotiating skills often prove key in sorting difficult issues out’.

Hogan Lovells Studio Legale ‘never misses a deadline and provides preemptive advice as needed’. The practice recently expanded its media and telecoms offering, as well as consolidating its leading position within the IT sector. Google was assisted with the launch of new products such as eBooks and the negotiation of commercial agreements with its Italian partners, and eBay was advised in the day-to-day management of its website. PayPal and YouTube are clients. Marco Berliri is a ‘superb, savvy and competent professional, who is tremendously effective at providing complex legal opinions’. Giulio Coraggio left for DLA Piper.

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo advises major TMT clients on corporate, regulatory, antitrust, administrative and litigation matters. Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana is a client.

Carnelutti Studio Legale Associato acts for Blockbuster Italia on a daily basis in commercial issues. Class Editori, the leading publisher in financial news and lifestyle industries, was assisted with the sale of a minority stake in MF Honyvem. Luca Arnaboldi and Nicolò Bastianini are the key contacts.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is rated for its ‘deep knowledge of the telecommunications business’. The practice is focused on antitrust and transactional work in the TMT sector. Telecom Italia was assisted in an abuse of dominant position proceeding. SKY Italia is a client.

Cugia Cuomo & Associati provided regulatory assistance to the Venetian municipal in-house telecommunications provider in the public procurement procedures and regulatory issues related to the creation and deployment of a new broadband fibre optics network in the Venice area. Fabrizio Cugia di Sant’Orsola is recommended.

Family law firm Dalla Vedova is well known for its telecommunications expertise. Name partner Marco Dalla Vedova represents national and international clients in regulatory and litigation matters.

Dewey & LeBoeuf Studio Legale welcomed telecommunications specialist Rino Caiazzo and a team of attorneys from Ughi e Nunziante. The practice advised Yahoo! in relation to the AVMS Directive in Italy and acted for DahliaTV in administrative proceedings concerning the granting of licences for the transmission of sporting events on the digital terrestrial television platform. Rome-based managing partner Stefano Speroni and Marco Consonni are also key practitioners.

NCTM Studio Legale Associato is praised for its ‘solution-oriented mindset. Without compromising on quality, the lawyers never forget about their clients’ business objectives’. The practice advised Nokia Siemens Networks Group on outsourcing matters. Vittorio Noseda is a specialist in ICT law and ‘a smart negotiator’.

Chiomenti Studio Legale continues to act for Mediaset, particularly in entertainment, fiction, new media and IT issues, and production of audiovisual fiction. RTI is also a client. Stefania Bariatti is the principal contact.

Gallavotti Honorati de Marco & Partners ‘understands the film industry’. The practice advised Medusa Film on an international co-production agreement for a film directed by internationally recognised Paolo Sorrentino, and starring Sean Penn. The practice also acted for RTI on the acquisition of the Cecchi Gori Group Library, containing more than 500 titles. Mario Gallavotti and Antonio Bernardini are ‘well connected in Milan’.

Avv.Ti Guendalina Ponti e Lorenzo de Sanctis Studio Legale’s Guendalina Ponti is recommended for her experience in film financing.

Led by Stefano Macchi di Cellere, Jones Day advised Apple on the regulatory law aspects in relation to the launch of the iPad in Europe.

Libertini Mario Studio Legale’s Mario Libertini is recommended for his administrative and regulatory experience within the telecommunications sector.

Mondini Rusconi Studio Legale’s ‘experienced and personable team has expert knowledge of the relevant sectoral laws and regulations. The practice continues to provide daily assistance to cinema, publishing and music companies on advertising and general regulatory issues. Giorgio Mondini is the principal contact.

Piergrossi Bianchini Eversheds acts for several telecommunications and IT clients on compliance, outsourcing and litigation issues. The practice recently acted on the development, maintenance and distribution of a software platform. Andrea Zincone is recommended.

Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati’s Francesca Lodigiani is a respected professional in the media side of the TMT industry.

SLA Osborne Clarke (Member of the Osborne Clarke Alliance) acts for Sony Music in relation to publishing rights, artists’ contracts, sales of ring tones over mobile telephone networks and associated issues of music downloading over the internet and private copy. Edoardo Tesdechi works on commercial matters in the videogaming and interactive entertainment industries.

Filippo Fioretti heads Simmons & Simmons’ Italian TMT group. The practice acts on TMT-related corporate and commercial transactions and on regulatory, antitrust and procurement related matters.

Valli & Associati’s Andrea Valli is widely recognised for his telecommunications law expertise.