TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Lewis Silkin focuses on digital and live music matters, assisting labels, brands, rights-owners, and digital services on label deals, catalogue acquisitions, live performance issues, and sponsorships. It also handles a number of copyright ownership and infringement disputes between former band members. AI music companies and matters are also handled by the team, as well as synthetic and adaptive media for music, voice, lyrics, and music data intelligence. Practice head Cliff Fluet is well-versed in digital media and music matters, representing major and independent labels, digital service providers, social networks, and music innovators with corporate and commercial matters. Jeremy Summers is noted for his work on IP issues affecting music clients, while Lauren Stone focuses on music rights clearance and negotiating talent contacts with artists for live shows.
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Profile
Work Department
Digital, Commerce and Creative
Position
I have been an IP and commercial lawyer for over 30 years. During that time I have worked on projects throughout the media, entertainment and sports industries. This has included working for rightsholder, governing bodies, promoters, agents, artists and creatives, producers, venues, developers and publishers.
My work involves advising on all aspects of event and event organisation, from branding to venue agreements, and including negotiating and drafting agreements for ticketing, sponsorship, licensing, hospitality, artist engagement, JVs (including co-production, co-promotion and investor agreements) and catering and supplier terms.
I have been, and continue to be, fortunate to work on major events around the world.
Career
Trained Simpson Curtis, qualified 1993; solicitor, IP, Pinsent Curtis 1993-96; manager, IP, Garretts (then Andersen Legal), Sydney 1996-99; senior lawyer Sydney Olympic Games organising committee 1999-2000; head of IP, Townleys 2001; founded SK Sport and Entertainment 2002; partner at Lewis Silkin LLP 2014-date.
Education
Lady Manners School, Bakewell; Leeds Polytechnic.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Lewis Silkin are excellent to work with. Their advice is commercial and pragmatic and their lawyers are reliable, responsive and have a good understanding of our business and our needs.'
'Lauren Stone is collaborative, commercial and extremely responsive. Her advice is pragmatic and clear, and her industry knowledge has helped us navigate a variety of different music licences for both brand campaigns and events.'
'Just a great team!’
‘They're very knowledgeable and good to work with.’
‘Very practical, commercial in approach, excellent industry knowledge of the music industry.’
'The team supported us through a challenging deal.'
‘Cliff Fluet is a music industry expert, able to step back and give an opinion on legal and commercial position.’
‘The team are very useful to our business as they cover every suite of legal disciplines. If we need a specialist in tax, IP, employment etc. someone from that firm can handle it.’
‘I particularly work with Gavin McNaughton and Cliff Fluet. Their speed of response and willingness to help at any time is extremely valued.’
Key clients
- DAACI
- MusicBird
- Rezonate Music Fund
- Ministry of Sound
- Un:hurd
- Serenade
- Royal Albert Hall
- Champion Records
- Audoo
- Superstruct
- DAACI
- MusicBird
- Rezonate Music Fund
- Ministry of Sound
- Un:hurd
- Serenade
- Royal Albert Hall
- Champion Records
- Audoo
- Superstruct
Work highlights
Advised Rezonate on its pipeline of 6-7 figure international royalty revenue acquisition deals.
Advised Annerin Productions on obtaining clearance for the music used in immersive entertainment experience, Beyond Van Gogh.
Advised Superstruct Entertainment on a wide range of music matters across its various festivals.