The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Spain > Intellectual property: Copyright

The team at Baker McKenzie handles copyright issues in the media, entertainment, publicity and digital media sectors. The practice advises on existing copyright protection, maximising the use of copyrighted material, and the enforcement and defence of copyright. José María Méndez, who specialises in media law, heads the team in Madrid. IP litigator Carles Prat leads the Barcelona group. María Dolores Garayalde, who has significant experience advising on the IP facets of corporate transactions, is also noted.

Clifford Chance is known for its offering in intellectual property litigation and arbitration. The team has a particular focus on e-commerce and technology matters. IP and commercial disputes expert Miquel Montañá heads the practice with Josep Montefusco, who specialises in competition and advertising, and also leads the firm’s technology group. Senior associate Juan Cuerva de Cañas is also recommended. The team is currently advising VRMADA on copyright protection over its software as the company expands into the Middle East.

Garrigues handles copyright litigation with wide-ranging tax, competition and data protection implications. The team has a strong offering for copyright matters in the music, audiovisual and publishing sectors; sponsorship agreements; and image rights in sports and entertainment. João Miranda de Sousa co-heads the practice with Carolina Pina, who also co-leads the firm’s sports and entertainment group. Principal associate Cristina Mesa, who specialises in fashion and e-commerce, is also noted, as is Antonio Muñoz, who has experience in advising on publicity rights and negotiations with collecting societies.

Uría Menéndez provides both contentious and non-contentious advice on copyright matters, including in relation to licensing and business transactions. Practice head Agustín González is an expert in art law. Also noted is competition specialist Montiano Monteaguo.

Bird & Bird is noted for its copyright work in the retail and fashion sectors. Manuel Lobato, litigator Antonio Cueto and IT specialist Mariano Santos lead the practice, and associate Teresa Mercadal is also noted. Highlights included representing Mediapro as the claimant in civil and criminal litigation against pirate websites broadcasting La Liga football matches. Associate José Ángel García-Zapata is now Senior IP Counsel at Insud Pharma.

Firm founder Hugo Écija and the ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ Alejandro Touriño, who is experienced in privacy and entrepreneurship law, are part of the copyright team at ECIJA. The practice advises on IP assets in the digital environment, protected content and advertising contracts. Highlights included advising the Republic of Costa Rica on legislative policies to protect the intangible heritage of indigenous peoples.

Elzaburu has a strong offering for rights holders in the entertainment sector. The practice advises on rights purchasing and licensing agreements, financing, the negotiation of royalties with performing rights societies, advertising, ticketing and image rights, and also has an anti-piracy team. The team is headed by anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy specialist Juan José Caselles, litigator Antonio Castán, Javier Fernández-Lasquetty, who focuses on IT matters, and media expert Mabel Klimt, who joined from Andersen Tax & Legal. Highlights included representing the Keith Haring Foundation in an action over the ‘radiant heart’ artwork.

Eversheds Sutherland Nicea offers an established copyright and entertainment practice which acts for clients in the publishing, audiovisual, e-commerce and software sectors. Entertainment and media specialist Vicente Arias Máiz leads the team, which is currently defending Sony/ATV Music Publishing against multiple claims for copyright infringement.

Core strengths for Gómez-Acebo & Pombo's copyright practice include digital business, unfair competition and audiovisual matters. Competition and litigation specialist Eduardo Castillo heads the team, which also includes Jesús Muñoz-Delgado and Gonzalo Ulloa. Recent highlights included advising eOne on its rights over the PJ Masks and Peppa Pig characters.

Boutique firm Grau & Angulo specialises in intellectual property litigation. Jorge Grau and Ignacio Marqués head the team, which also focuses on advertising and copyright enforcement.

The copyright team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is headed by María González Gordon, who joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo.

The practice at DLA Piper advises on intellectual property contract negotiations and media and software licensing. Diego Ramos, who has extensive copyright experience in video games and fashion, heads the team, which also includes compliance expert Paula González de Castejón. Highlights included assisting Adobe with licensing software to a Spanish bank.

Anna Viladás Jené heads the copyright practice at Roca Junyent, which focuses on digital technology. Key clients include the Gala-Salvador Dalí Foundation and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Javier Vázquez is also recommended.

Andrea Garcés heads the intellectual property department at Ventura Garcés & López-Ibor. The team advises on publishing agreements, the adaptation of existing works, cinematic distribution and commissioning new works, and has a particularly strong offering in the fine art, fashion, beauty and design sectors. Since publication, the firm has split with the Madrid and Valencia offices now operating as López-Ibor Abogados and the Barcelona office as Ventura Garcés.