Copyright © Media Law International 2024. All Rights Reserved.                                                                                                              

Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

TIER 1

Specialising in entertainment, sports and copyright, Anand and Anand is vastly involved in a range of cases. The firm’s prominence is highlighted by competitors nationally who describe the firm as one of India’s leading practices. Appointed by national broadcasters including CNN-IBN, Star TV and VH1, the firm handles wide-ranging matters including corporate, advisory and regulatory. Other clients include internet companies, radio networks and motion picture production companies.

The focus at DSK Legal is on intellectual property, corporate law, information technology and related tax. The firm represents celebrities, production houses, film financiers and distributors. Areas of advice include regulation on content and broadcasting, antitrust and corporate matters.

Clients highlight Naik Naik & Company for its “exceptional strength in litigation and arbitration both at strategy and execution level”. Lawyers are highly reputed for their in-depth knowledge of laws and regulation. One client noted: “Naik Naik & Co. has a deep understanding of media laws and media businesses in India, their advisory service and solutions are an amalgamation of both and therefore adds tremendous value to us. Their agility and timely response on issues is noteworthy.” Competitors single out the firm for its “large volume of work in the media industry with several leading filmmakers”.

Media work at Nishith Desai Associates ranges from advice on entertainment tax through to co-production treaties and DTH licensing. Peers single out the firm for its “Strong focus on media and entertainment”. The team advises television networks, advertisers and new media companies. In addition to its six offices in India, the firm has a presence in Munich and New York.

TMT Law Practice with offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, is a boutique, mid-size law firm offering a broad array of services in the Technology Media and Telecommunications sectors. The firm’s services include practice area offerings such as Intellectual Property, Dispute Resolution & Arbitration, Regulatory Advisory, Corporate/Commercial and Transactional support, Competition Law, and Policy and Legislative support across industry verticals such as Media & Entertainment. TMT Law represents Fortune 500 companies, MSMEs and start-ups. The firm is heavily invested in the niche areas of emerging technology, including Commercial Space and Satellite Communications, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Data Protection, Sports & Gaming, E-commerce and Cybersecurity, FinTech, HealthTech and AgriTech.

TIER 2

JSA’s core focus is broadcasting. The firm’s work includes advice on regulatory approvals, compliance and licensing and spectrum allocation. Lawyers also assist with acquisitions and divestments. Clients praise lawyers for their knowledge of content creation and acquisition. The team has considerable experience assisting national cable operators, entertainment companies and print publishers.

Khaitan & Co advises extensively on privatisation, regulatory approvals and cross-border transactions. The TMT practice is notably active in corporate and transactional cases. In highlighted work the team acted for Prime Focus Limited in relation to its acquisition of Reliance MediaWorks Limited’s film and media services.

Focussed on broadcast and sports law, Lall & Sethi provides advisory and transactional advice to a wide range of clients. The firm’s work includes advice  to clients including Dish TV, Siti Cable and Taj Television on carriage charges and payment of entertainment tax by DTH operators. The firm is widely respected by peers and recognised for its industry dedication.

LexOrbis is a full-service Indian IP firm with offices in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore with over 250 personnel including 120 attorneys. The Firm is ranked amongst the Top-5 IP firms and as “fastest growing” IP firm in India. The Firm’s services include Indian and global IP (patents/designs/ trademark/ copyright/GI/plant varieties) portfolio development and management, advisory and documentation services on IP transactions/technology-content transfers and IP enforcement and dispute resolutions at all forums across India. They represent some of the leading Fortune 500 technology companies, leading brand owners, content developers and global publication houses.

Luthra & Lurthra is highlighted for its IP litigation experience. Corporate transactions are an important area of focus for the firm, which regularly assists clients with structuring, licensing, franchising, joint-ventures and IP audits. The team advises extensively on competition law and anti-trust matters.

Rahul Chaudhry & Partners has extensive experience advising local and international media corporations including print publishers. One client noted: “What sets Rahul Chaudhry & Partners and its team apart from other firms is that they have, without fail, been exceptional in their responsiveness. We look at the firm and the team more as associates rather than as external partners.”  Established in 1983, the firm has built a substantial client base that includes entertainment, media and publishing companies.

Core focus areas of Saikrishna & Associates include online and digital media. The firm is known for its specialisation in copyright law, competition law and regulation. In highlighted work, the team assisted Fox Stars Studios India in a high value deal with Dharma Productions for the acquisition of the distribution rights of nine feature films.  

Trilegal’s core areas of expertise include broadcasting, technology and IP. The practice provides advice to some of the largest TMT companies in India and globally. Lawyers advise on commercial, regulatory and transactional matters. Other areas of focus include outsourcing and e-commerce.      

TIER 3

ARA Legal Advisors has considerable experience advising television and media companies on the establishment of new radio and television networks. Lawyers regularly draft and negotiate agreements for film and music sector clients. The team also  assists with corporate finance arrangements.  

Archer & Angel is highly praised by peers nationally and recognised for its broad coverage of entertainment, gaming and sports sectors. Lawyers advise advertisers, broadcasters and television companies with corporate issues, commercial contracts and disputes. In highlighted work the team advised a Mumbai-based film production company on agreements with writers, designers and production personnel for television shows and documentaries.

Gandhi & Associates advises on all segments of the media and entertainment industries. In highlighted work, the team advised BSK Network & Entertainment on its joint venture with Vistaar Entertainment in a case involving refinancing. In other work the team assisted Stardomania Entertainment with negotiating a joint venture with Cineyug Entertainment. The firm’s broad client based includes actors, directors, producers, talent management companies and internet companies.  

HSA Advocates has a diverse involvement with clients within the film and television industries. Lawyers drafts and negotiate co-production agreements between local and Hollywood studios. The team also advises on competition law, copyright and licensing agreements and handles litigation.

Media lawyers at Krishna & Saurastri Associates are experienced in litigation and arbitration. The media and entertainment group advises a range of clients on licensing, production, post-production and contracts. Clients include publishers and multimedia companies, local and international.

Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co’s media and entertainment contentious work involves contractual disputes, copyright infringement, defamation and privacy. The team also assists with non-contentious matters such as licensing, programming and rights acquisition. The firm advises leading entertainment channels and music companies.  

TIER 4

ALMT Legal is a full-service law firm with over two decades of existence. We are a total of 19 Partners and 100 Fee Earners. We have offices in Bangalore and Mumbai and with Representation Offices in many jurisdiction across the world. One of the prominent area of practice of the firm is Media, Entertainment and Sports. The area of practice is headed by Partner, Souvik Paul Mazumdar in Bangalore. ALMT Legal is actively involved in the area of media, entertainment and sports law including in the drafting and negotiation of agreements and contracts between media houses, artists, celebrities and sports personalities. The firm has also advised on film production and distribution contracts, management contracts for sports personalities and has been involved in the initiation and defense of disputes relating to such matters.

Dhir & Dhir Associates has a notable emphasis on the entertainment and broadcasting sectors. The team advises on the creation, production and dissemination of advertising, particularly interactive technology and consumer-generated content. Lawyers also assist with privacy, censorship and dispute resolution.

Full-service firm Lakshmitumaran & Sridharan has an expansive reach with ten offices around the country specialising in intellectual property. The firm handles high profile litigation in local and global cases. The team also advises on the preparation, licensing and management of IP rights.

Cyber law expert Pavan Duggal handles cases connected with e-commerce, copyright and privacy. The firm advises the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on internet law and governance. The firm is praised by its peers and widely respected for its niche focus.

Poovayya & Co. represents leading internet companies on third party content regulation, free speech and safe harbour principles. The firm’s client base also includes regional satellite news channels, radio stations and print media companies. Lawyers are extensively involved in contentious litigation involving broadcast sector clients and in cases of defamation.

Surana & Surana is well regarded for its intellectual property law expertise. The team handles contentious and non-contentious copyright cases on behalf of local and international clients. The team advises on matters ranging from protection and enforcement to licensing and distribution.

TIER 5

Gagrats works with a cross-selection of international clients based in European and the US. The firm’s corporate department, notably focussed on mergers and acquisitions, handles all media related cases including indirect acquisitions, shareholding transfers and other sector-related transactions.  

Rajani Associates advises on film financing, broadcasting rights, product endorsement, film sponsoring and programming contracts between production houses and television channels. The team also assists clients with all copyright-related matters.

Media work at Singhania & Partners is primarily focussed on intellectual property relating to advertising and e-commerce. The team’s IP and TMT department work collaboratively, providing clients with cross-practice advice on sector-related transactions.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

Top

INDIA

      India has witnessed significant development trends in the intellectual property regime this year, which are set to propel sectors such as data protection, deep tech startups, space tech startups, e-commerce markets, and the overall IP landscape of the country.

Here's an overview of the most prominent legislative developments in India in the past year:

IPD created by Delhi & Madras High Courts: The Delhi High Court created its dedicated IP Division, which also prompted the formation of an IP Division at the Madras High Court. This strategic expansion is not only accelerating the resolution of IP litigation and appeals but also giving rise to landmark cases in the field of IP in India, further solidifying the nation's position as a global hub for protecting and enforcing IP rights.

Draft Regulations by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Combinations: The draft regulations mark a significant overhaul of the merger control framework, aligning it with global developments. In conjunction with the recent amendments, the CCI has released the draft Competition Commission of India (Combinations) Regulations, 2023 (Draft Regulations) for public input. These Draft Regulations complement the merger control provisions of the Amendment Act, streamlining the entire process.

National Deep Tech Startup Policy: This is a comprehensive strategy to promote and develop deep tech startups in India. It begins by defining and clarifying the concept of deep tech startups, emphasising the importance of attracting and retaining talent within this sector.

It emphasises the importance of attracting and retaining talent within the deep tech sector, possibly through scholarships, fellowships, and tax incentives.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, is a widespread legislation aimed at managing digital personal data with a dual focus on protecting individuals' data rights and allowing for lawful data processing. The Bill defines digital personal data and introduces key terms like “Data Principal" and any person who determines the purpose and means of processing personal data is a "Data Fiduciary".

Data Principal and Data Fiduciary under the proposed Bill are equivalent to "Data Subject" and "Data Controller" under the GDPR of Europe.

The robust legislative developments in the Indian space, data protection, deep tech startups, personality rights, e-commerce, and the pharmaceutical sectors, along with landmark rulings by the Indian courts have prompted us to focus on expanding our services to an array of diverse industries.

The legal arena is developing rapidly, and law firms need to match this pace to stay ahead of the parallel changes in the legal regime.

“

“

”