The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > Scotland > Media and entertainment

Brodies LLP represents a broad range of clients, including major broadcasters, publishing companies, private individuals, and social media companies. The firm has excellent knowledge of intellectual property law, ranging from acquiring IP rights, to advising on compliance and handling IP-focused acquisitions. Beyond this, the team advises clients on defamation risks through pre-publication reviews and pre-broadcast content reviews and manages data and brand protection for companies and individuals. Martin Sloan specializes in IP and technology, including contracts for the development of mobile apps and online affiliate advertising.

Burness Paull LLP’s large team act for major broadcasters, high net worth individuals and private companies in defamation and contempt of court proceedings, intellectual property and copyright enforcement mandates and restructuring matters. In a recent case, the team advised STV on its high-profile sale of its ITV2 channel to That’s Media, a deal which involved the sale of five separate entities, each holding local broadcasting licences, as well as intellectual property considerations. The team is led by Grant Stevenson, who works alongside Colin Hulme and director Kirsteen MacDonald , who advised JK Rowling on a court action raised against the author’s former personal assistant.

Thorntons Law LLP acts for media organisations, public and private sector bodies, music producers and games developers, advising on matters relating to defamation claims, licensing, copyright and intellectual property infringements. The team advised ThinkAnalytics on its collaboration with the BBC to incorporate its personalization software into BBC iPlayer. Lesley Larg , who represents a range of clients including games companies, music promoters and newspaper publishers, advises the V&A Museum in Dundee on all aspects of its development.

Anderson Strathern has a wealth of experience advising publishing companies, trusts and media organisations on matters such as licensing, leasing, intellectual property, copyright and defamation, and acts on both sides of copyright infringement claims in court. The team is particularly focused on the arts and culture sector and often represents trusts seeking to contribute to creative projects in Scotland, such as a permanent exhibition by Scottish Borders Council. Practice head Simon Brown advises Birlinn, one of Scotland’s largest independent publishers, on a range of legal issues including intellectual property, contempt of court, privacy and the protection of journalistic sources.

BTO Solicitors LLP focuses on advising individuals and private companies on reputution management, including social media management, defamation proceedings, and strategic media advice. Solicitor advocate Paul Motion, who is dual accredited in data protection and freedom of information law, often advises clients in the music industry on artist management, recording and production contracts. The firm is also launching a music team following the hire of Jonathan Tait, who has a background in the music industry and music education.

Dentons' media and entertainment practice advises broadcasters and organisations in the arts and culture sector on intellectual property matters, copyright infringement, data protection, defamation risks and other contentious issues, such as production rights and censorship. In the non-contentious space, the team drafts agreements for cultural bodies and helps clients with reputation management. Partner Susan Snedden is well known for litigating in IP disputes on behalf of major broadcasters. Practice head Ewan Easton has a track record of advising BBC Scotland on their reporting rights and duties.