The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Germany > Entertainment

With a focus on digitalisation topics BEITEN BURKHARDT enjoys 'an excellent reputation' for its gaming expertise and advises international companies in interactive entertaiment on IP, broadcasting, press, copyright and competition law. The team also acts for various broadcasting companies in media law matters and is well versed in sports marketing. Andreas Lober is 'outstanding' in the gaming setcor and has longstanding expertise in disputes around youth protection. Axel von Walter gives 'successful and competent' advice on e-sports. Lars Querndt joined from Bird & Bird.

Boehmert & Boehmert is particularly well versed in copyright issues and the team surrounding Jan Bernd Nordemann frequently handles landmark proceedings n this field. Clients stem from the film, music, internet, book and magazine publishing sectors and also often seek the firm' advice on license matters and at the intersection with IT and data protection. Anke Nordemann-Schiffel and Martin Schaefer are also part of the team.

Brehm & v. Moers' renowned practice covers the entire spectrum of media production and distribution and the team is traditionally known for its expertise in film financing, production processes and broadcasting matters. The firm also has strong IT-related capabilities, which manifests itself in advice on gaming und platforms, and expertise at the intersection with corporate and employment law. Stefan V. Moers and Guido Hettinger are the key figures, and the team also gained Katharina Domnick, who focuses on advertisement and the press as well as film and music, from Noerr in January 2020.

FREY Rechtsanwälte's Cologne-based practice has a clear focus on media law advice for the sports industry. The team surrounding Dieter Frey and Matthias Rudolph is particularly experienced in questions around content production and use, licence and cooperation agreements, including broadcasting licences, and media regulatory notification procedures. Clients include companies in the motor sports and football industries as well as radio stations, online media services and artists.

GRAEF Rechtsanwälte has comprehensive experience in copyright, music, publishing and IT law matters, and the entire spectrum of film and TV law. The team also has expertise in the gaming and internet sectors. Ralph Oliver Graef is the key figure.

Hengeler Mueller is particularly active in contractual and copyright law issues and contentious matters for a multitude of platform and cable network operators, but also advises media companies on transactions. Among other topics, the team focuses on copyright compensation disputes, collective copyright and online music law. Albrecht  Conrad heads the practice.

HERTIN & Partner is considered an excellent address for copyright disputes and subsequent claims to remuneration and often handles landmark proceedings in this field. The team also has expertise in contractual and IP law matters. Besides domestic and international companies, associations and online platforms, the client portfolio primarily includes scriptwriters, dubbing actors, directors and actors. Sandra Wagner, of counsel Paul Hertin and Hermann-Josef Omsels are the key figures.

In the media segment K&L Gates LLP primarily acts for broadcasting organisations, collecting societies, streaming services, art galleries, influencers and sports associations, which the team surrounding Martin von Albrecht advises comprehensively on copyright, media and antitrust law matters. Media law litigation is another cornerstone of the practice which has an impressive track record in landmark proceedings. Friederike Gräfin von Brühl is the main contact for art law and the team also has expertise in music and film matters.

KVLEGAL gives 'highly competent' advice to clients in the film, TV and music industry regarding media and trade mark matters and also handles complex disputes 'with great care'. The 'extremely professional and very qualified' team surrounding the 'absolute expert' Urs Verweyen frequently acts for IT companies in proceedings around equipment and storage media levies, but also advises platforms, publishing companies, actors, journalists, authors and musicians. Christlieb Klages is another key contact in the team.

Besides its work in press and publishing law, Lausen Rechtsanwälte is also well versed in media, copyright, licensing and trade mark matters. Matthias Lausen, who is well known for handling various test cases for the further development of copyright and media law, heads the practice together with Ursula Feindor-Schmidt, who has particular expertise in licensing law. Kerstin Bäcker is the contact for German and international music law matters.

Lentze Stopper stands out for its 'particular and comprehensive' know-how of the sports sector and is able to demonstrate 'extensive experience' in advising high-profile sports clubs and associations on media, trade mark, licence and antitrust law in the context of sports events and ticketing. Gregor Lentze, Martin Stopper and Felix Holzhäuser act for clubs, associations, sportspeople and agencies regarding contracts and sponsoring rights and the transfer of players. The firm also has competencies in relevant litigation. Tim Bagger von Grafenstein was recently promoted to associate partner.

Morrison & Foerster LLP's 'very reliable, energetic' media law team acts on the entire spectrum of transactional, contractual and distribution law matters and also handles regulatory and copyright issues for the media sector. Christoph Wagner regularly assists domestic and international media companies with high-profile transactions. Besides advising on traditional film and TV series matters, frequently with cross-border elements, Christiane Stützle  is expanding her advice on media content and platforms and at the intersection with IT. Andreas Grünwald is particularly active in the regulatory segment in broadcasting and antitrust law-related matters.

In the entertainment segment Osborne Clarke  distinguishes itself in particular with its strong and widely recognised service offering in the gaming sector. Practice head Konstantin Ewald  advises German and international games manufacturers on copyright matters, market entries, acquisitions and disputes. Beyond the computer and video games industry the Cologne and Hamburg-based team also assists TV channels, publishers and media groups with topics such as e-commerce, data protection and IP as well as with M&A transactions in the digital media area.

Reed Smith regularly advises international media companies and online platforms on transactions, copyright and licence law matters and can also point to extensive dispute resolution expertise in this context. Alexander Klett is the key figure in the Munich office after Stephan Rippert left for Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH in September 2020.

Scheuermann Westerhoff Strittmatter advises clients, including production companies, advertisement agencies, content platforms and celebrities in film and music, on the entire spectrum of media law issues with expertise in both digital and traditional media. The team surrounding Angelika Strittmatter and Oliver Poche is well versed in matters in connection with the arts and apps.

The representation in copyright litigation, product marketing and associated competition law issues, the drafting and negotiation of contracts, and licensing matters: All that constitutes Straßer Ventroni Deubzer Freytag & Jäger's core activity in the media sector. Large German and international telecoms, e-commerce and TV companies seek out the highly regarded group, whose expertise was further bolstered with the arrival of Rolf Moser, CEO of Bavaria Media, as of counsel in October 2019. Robert Straßer, Stefan Ventroni and Stefan Freytag are the key figures in the team.

Taylor Wessing's media expertise particularly stands out for its advice on digitalisation and regulatory issues, although the team also advises its clients - media corporations, start-ups and investors - on copyright and contentious matters. The firm's services also include advice on gaming, gambling and e-sport matters. Axel Freiherr von dem Bussche heads the TMT practice and Thanos Rammos was promoted to partner.

Unverzagt is a recognised player in the film and TV sector, where the team surrounding Harro von Have advises prominent domestic and international production companies, investors, film distributors, TV stations and individuals on financing, production and distribution matters. The group also has broad experience at the intersection with IT and IP and frequently assists clients with online, sports and music law matters.