Burges Salmon LLP is active in the media and entertainment sector with a practice that remains a go-to outfit for a host of high-profile clients. The firm counts TV, film and broadcasting work among its central areas of focus, where it handles matters relating to advertising, marketing, and IP issues. Jeremy Dickerson acts as practice head and regularly advises companies in the media industry on contentious and non-contentious IP work. Transactions and commercial agreements are an area of focus for Helen Scott-Lawler, while Emily Roberts specialises in dispute resolution.
Media and entertainment in South West
Burges Salmon LLP
Practice head(s):
Jeremy Dickerson
Other key lawyers:
Helen Scott-Lawler; Emily Roberts
Key clients
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
BBC Studios Ltd
Discovery, Inc.
Eurosport
Virgin Group (including Virgin Enterprises Limited)
20th Century Studios
UKTV
Valleyfest
Racecourse Technical Services Limited (RaceTech)
Fakenham Racecourse
3tone Group
Racehorse Association
Apetito (Wiltshire Farm Foods)
Work highlights
- Advising the BBC and BBC Studios on all UK and EU trade mark applications and registrations as sole counsel.
- Acting as UK trade mark counsel for Discovery, Inc and Eurosport, advising on clearance matters, registry proceedings, and UK enforcement issues.
- Acting for a range of media clients in contractual and IP disputes.
Osborne Clarke LLP
Osborne Clarke LLP‘s media and entertainment practice is equipped to handle an array of matters ranging from digital regulation and publishing issues to media disputes and advertising work. The communications, media and technology industries are particular standout sectors for the team, which also counts clients active in publishing and TV production among its portfolio. The practice leadership is divided between Mary Lawrence, who heads up the broadcast, production and digital content division, and head of interactive entertainment Tom Harding. Disputes constitute an area of focus for Charlie Wedin.
Practice head(s):
Mary Lawrence; Tom Harding
Other key lawyers:
Charlie Wedin
Key clients
Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd
Netflix
Amazon Studios
ITV
Plimsoll Productions
Warner Bros. Discovery
Miniclip
Work highlights
- Advising LDC, a leading mid-market private equity house, and the Plimsoll Productions management team on the sale of a majority interest in Bristol-headquartered Plimsoll Productions to ITV plc in a transaction that values the independent television production company at £131m.
- Ongoing advice on legal health and safety issues for Netflix’s Production Safety team.
- Advising Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited regarding a high-value broadcast licencing dispute against Econet Media Limited.
Battens Solicitors Limited
Under the leadership of IP, media and entertainment heavyweight Brian Levine, Battens Solicitors Limited is well known for advising content creators, production houses and media companies on issues spanning branding, licensing and IP enforcement work, as well as production and broadcasting matters. Litigation within the media and entertainment sector is the speciality of Peter Livingstone.
Practice head(s):
Brian Levine
Other key lawyers:
Peter Livingstone
Key clients
Mallinson Sadler Productions
Work highlights
- Advising Mallinson Sadler Productions on all matters relating to the financing, production and broadcast of a multi-season prime-time documentary series viewed across Disney+, National Geographic and other channels worldwide.
White Jackman
Praised for its ‘real expertise’ and ‘personal service’, White Jackman has a strong pedigree in the media and entertainment sector, where the firm continues to be a popular choice for digital media and television production companies. Duncan White leads the Plymouth-based practice and sports in-depth expertise dealing with matters in the development, financing and production stages.
Practice head(s):
Duncan White
Testimonials
‘We like the directness of working with White Jackman.’
‘Duncan White provides fast, responsive and helpful contract advice and amendments.’
‘White Jackman provide a very personal service in which they take care to get to know about you and your company to help tailor their service.’
Key clients
Beagle Media Limited
Boom Cymru TV Limited
Forest Ventures Limited
King of Sunshine Productions Limited
Label1 Television Limited
OR Media Limited
Outline Productions Limited
Oxford Scientific Films Limited
Rebel Television and Media Limited
Rock Oyster Media Productions Limited
South Shore Productions Limited
Twofour Broadcast Limited
Work highlights
- Provided legal and business affairs support to Twofour on its six-part television series The Reluctant Traveller for Apple TV, starring Eugene Levy.
- Advised Label1 Television on all matters relating to the pre-production, production and broadcast of Worlds Collide: The Manchester Bombing, a two-part documentary for ITV.
- Advised King of Sunshine Productions on all matters relating to the pre-production, production and broadcast of Jon & Lucy’s Odd Couples, a six-part panel show for Channel 4.
Steer & Co
Steer & Co specialises in advising clients from the digital, creative and media sectors, where the firm acts for social media platforms, animators and creative agencies. Founding partner Rebecca Steer has longstanding experience in the media and entertainment space and counts businesses as well as their founders and executive teams among her clients.
Practice head(s):
Rebecca Steer
Testimonials
‘The reason I use Steer & Co is because of their specialist knowledge with legal matters concerning marketing and specifically communications.’
‘Felt like I was being helped at all times and also had things explained in a clear manner.’
‘Rebecca Steer has added great legal minds to her team and practice over recent years that have equally provided appropriate advice as our market has grown, here in the UK and internationally.’
Key clients
TEAM LOVE
A PRODUCTIONS ht
HERO (acquired by KLARNA BANK)
HUNBUN
ANDY JANES
EAVESDROP MUSIC
VVAST
AERIAN STUDIOS
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS (ICA)
CALVIUM
Work highlights
- Advised digital agency Aerian Studios on an app developed for The Roman Baths which is designed for school children visiting the Roman Baths.
- Advised Hero on its Digital Virtual Shopping Service which enables retailers to connect via video and audio with online customers (acquired by Klarna Bank and integrated into the Klarna App).
- Advised Team Love group of companies on shareholder and directors responsibilities in connection with music festivals “The Downs Bristol” and “Love Saves the Day”.