BELGIUM

Belgium’s media market value is projected to reach USD5.56 billion in 2023, with growth across segments, include television, gaming and streaming, according to Statista.

The country’s largest segment is traditional media, which accounts for a market volume of USD4.08 billion in 2023. The gaming market has also shown continued growth over the past year with a value reaching USD579 million by the end of the year.

In other developments, lawyers say the country is emerging as a popular destination in Western Europe for data centre development, given its proximity to Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris, otherwise known as FLAP markets, which continually attracts foreign investment.

In corporate activity over the past year, the Belgian Competition Authority approved acquisition of RTL Belgium and its subsidiaries by DPG Media and Rossel Group. The deal was approved in late March, and was finalised in April.

The acquisition is intended to structurally strengthen the media market in French-speaking Belgium, to accelerate the digital transformation of RTL and to drive consolidation in the European television industry.

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Crowell & Moring is highly reputed for its leading focus on an extensive range of segments across media and technology. In addition to traditional areas of advice, the team works on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and financing transactions. The litigation team advises on antitrust regulation, privacy and data collection rights.

Although FENCER was only founded in July 2020, its team, led by Paul Maeyaert, is anything but new to the market. FENCER has assisted famous right owners, artists, art galleries, online and offline publishers, producers and broadcasting companies on copyright and other Intellectual Property related issues. Paul Maeyaert, together with his team-member Caro Van Wichelen, has also frequently litigated high-profile cases on freedom of speech, the right to reply, defamation claims and image rights.

Clients appoint Koan Law Firm on account of its “quality, efficiency and correct remuneration”. The team is “always on track and always on time”. The firm’s emphasis on media is matched by a specialisation in advertising and copyright law. The team advises clients from the media, technology and IP segments. Partners are credited with having exceptional experience working with clients from the press, cinema and audio-visual production sectors. Other areas of focus include film financing and product placement.

With combined focus on media, IP and IT MVVP adopts a multidisciplinary approach to sector-related work. Core areas of competence include television, motion pictures, music, advertising and sports. The team includes litigation and arbitration specialists who routinely advise on the protection of creative works, licensing of technology, computer software, multimedia and telecommunications.

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Altius combines media and intellectual property with its emphasis on entertainment segments. The team advises on television and filmed entertainment, games and music. The team works on wide-ranging cases involving pre-publication advice and clearance, licensing agreements and rights disputes.

Fieldfisher acts for independent film producers and distributors in copyright disputes and negotiates media-related agreements. The practice advises providers of audio-visual content, advertisers and communications agencies. The team has extensive experience advising on film and sports law.

Focussed on copyright and media, Hoyng Rokh Monegier lawyers litigate on behalf of rights holders in high profile cases. Working with publishers, broadcasters, artists and producers the team advises on local and cross-border issues and negotiates complex agreements.The team also regularly advises on regulatory frameworks.

The media team at & De Bandt advises on television formats, privacy, freedom of the press and liability for publication. Lawyers negotiate international entertainment contracts, assist with litigation before the courts and advise on competition law. The firm also handles commercial matters, working on national and international business litigation. The practice has two decades of experience representing television stations, musicians, publishers and artists.

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CMS’ work includes commercial and corporate matters connected with media sector activity. The intellectual property team advises on privacy, distribution law and commercial litigation. Lawyers also assist broadcasters and satellite operators with regulatory and licensing matters. Other clients include e-commerce companies and international football organisations.

NautaDutilh works on industry-related commercial and regulatory matters. The team has significant experience advising on copyright and IT matters. Other areas of focus include litigation and arbitration. The firm’s clients include Warner Bros., Coca Cola and NOS.