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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Hong Kong’s film industry has made a surprise comeback, say lawyers, with an increase in local content production and a returning audience to cinemas.

Over the past year, Hong Kong-made films Warriors of the Future and Table for Six became the highest-grossing local productions of all time, grossing USD10.5 million and USD10 million in Hong Kong, respectively. 

Released at the start of 2023, A Guilty Conscience became the highest-earning Hong Kong film in history, grossing USD11 million in its first three weeks of release. A report by HSBC also shows high entertainment spend in Hong Kong, that has almost tripled over the past year.

Market Pulse, featuring data provided by HSBC, shows high transactional spend in cultural and

entertainment sectors, attributed to the reopening of sports and entertainment venues, as well as the reopening of  cinemas.

In other developments, press freedom has been heavily in focus over the past year following a ‘shrinking news industry’.

In 2022, the region’s press freedom ranking decreased to its lowest point since 2002. Hong Kong moved from a ranking position of 18 to 148 in the globe rankings issued annually by Reporters Without Borders.

TIER 1

Baker McKenzie has in-depth knowledge of the entertainment, communications and e-commerce industries. The team has exceptional experience advising on legal and commercial matters, including complex technology licensing and regulatory issues, cross-border mergers and acquisitions and outsourcing. The team across a range of industry cases, advising global and domestic clients.

Bird & Bird’s media group includes sports and digital business as core focus areas. The TMT practice also works with multiple mobile game publishers.The team works on local and regional cases with commercial, regulatory and intellectual property aspects. The team also advises on corporate and transactional matters.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is “able to deliver reliable, punchy and responsive advice and execute our deals within deadlines” noted one client. The firm is highlighted favourably by clients who also describe the team as responsive and knowledgeable. The team is praised by clients for “going the extra mile to make deals happen”.

TIER 2

Working with clients from the creative industries, Deacons has particular experience advising on recording and publishing arrangements, agency and management contracts, distribution and co-production. The team also advises on the purchase, financing and restructuring of media companies.

The intellectual property and commercial practice of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer works across a range of commercial and transactional projects. Lawyers advise industry clients on contentious intellectual property matters, e-commerce and internet-related cases. The team also assists with privacy matters, advertising and regulation.  

Haldanes acts for overseas record companies, television and film production companies, event promoters and artists. The commercial, media and entertainment practice assists with financing, licensing and distribution and artist and talent agreements. Other areas of emphasis include sports and theatrical productions, advertising and copyright.

Hogan Lovells acts for entertainment companies, broadcasters and investors. The team is known for its exceptional knowledge of media regulation and copyright licensing. Lawyers also provide telecommunications regulatory advice in cases involving acquisitions in China and Hong Kong. The TMT practice also represents gaming and e-commerce companies.

Morrison Foerster primarily advises on business transactions and disputes involving copyrightable materials. Lawyers regularly work with clients from the entertainment industry on all aspects of copyright protection and management. While advising on multimedia products, the team also works closely with clients from the film, theatre, music and publishing segments.  

Data privacy and cyber security specialist Squire Patton Boggs advises on commercial agreements, international data protection and litigation. The team assists local and regional clients with domestic and international business. Lawyers also advise on regulatory policy and legislative issues affecting public and private sector clients.

TIER 3

King & Wood Mallesons focusses on the sports and TMT sectors. The multidisciplinary team routinely advises on commercial, regulatory and outsourcing transactions. The team assists clients with joint ventures, private equity investments and handles dispute resolution.

TIER 4

The media team at Stephenson Harwood advises on regulatory and outsourcing transactions. The team advises on corporate matters including IPOs and work closely with the firm’s commercial practice group, providing cross-practice advice. The team also assists with intellectual property licensing.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

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HONG KONG