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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

BULGARIA

TIER 1

One of the largest firms in Bulgaria, Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov is widely described by peers as one of the most prominent. The full service firm is known for its transactional work in the TMT sector and advice to entertainment and sports clients. Lawyers have particular experience advising cable broadcasters, film producers, advertisers and publishers in the area of financing, rights acquisition and regulation.

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co has a reputation for excellence in the area of privacy and personal data protection. Lawyers, who clients describe as “extremely competent and very responsive”, advise on cross-border compliance, corporate restructurings and e-commerce. The firm acted for an international television broadcaster on matters including privacy policies, compliance, licensing and content requirements. Lawyers also represent clients with success before the local media regulation authority.

Gugushev & Partners has developed an established position in the market and is rising as one of the region’s most widely respected practices. The team has exceptional experience advising a broad range of clients and leads the team in its advice on broadcasting, programming and regulation. Lawyers frequently advise on advertising, sponsorship and licensing matters.

TIER 2

Boyanov & Co has a prominent reputation and is known by peers for its expansive client portfolio. The firm focusses on media and telecommunications with advice to broadcasters ranging from regulatory and licensing to bids and auctions. The team is known for its advise on complex due diligence connected with mergers and acquisitions.

With a media and advertising specialisation, Kalaidjiev, Georgiev & Minchev advises on the issuance of licences for telecommunication activities, broadcasting and television production. The firm’s media lawyers draft agreements for advertising campaigns and media planning. Lawyers also litigate in cases connected with copyright and related rights.

Established in 1988, Kambourov & Partners has a long-standing presence in Bulgaria and equal focus on the TMT sector. The team is notably known for its work on large scale corporate structuring of radio and television operators and structuring of products and services. The firm also has a significant number of instructions from media and entertainment clients including motion picture producers, television companies, theatre and publishing companies.

TIER 3

Arsov Natchev Ganeva’s specialisation in media and sports is local and global. Lawyers act for foreign media companies acquiring local media entities, advise on licensing and administrative procedures and represent clients in cases of intellectual property. The team assisted entrepreneurs with establishing and acquiring sports clubs in Bulgaria while ensuring compliance.

CMS is one of the few international firms that has established a strong position in the legal market. The firm’s technology, media and communications group works across a number of jurisdictions on substantial transactions advising broadcast clients. Working in collaboration with the commercial team, media lawyers assist with distribution agreements, commercial contracts and data protection.  

TIER 4

Eurolex Bulgaria affirms its position in the legal market with a steady influx of corporate instructions from media clients that include television and radio operators. The team advises on licensing, distribution and regulation. The media practice acts for newspapers and other printed publications, advertising agencies and website operators.

Ilieva, Voutcheva & Co has a background in media work that includes the establishment of a crowd-funding scheme for feature film production. The firm acts for multiple clients on film and video production, financing and distribution of media products and newspaper and magazine publishing. Lawyers also advise on cross-media ownership, interactive media and copyrights issues.

Combining transactional and commercial expertise, Penev advises on cross-border cases, regulatory compliance and lobbying. The TMT group also assists with data protection, privacy and licensing. In highlighted work the firm advised a leading US radio broadcasting company on an acquisition deal in Bulgaria. The firm is also appointed by internet and e-commerce companies.

TIER 4

The primary focus at Borissov & Partners is on intellectual property, telecoms and technology - from which media and entertainment cases stem. The firm works on a range of matters from franchising, licensing and dispute resolution to advice on radio frequency spectrum and geo-stationary orbit. The team advises on media and neighbouring segments.

Popov, Arnaudov & Partners regularly assists broadcasters with registration, programming and distribution agreements. The team advised a pay-television operator on distribution rights, rights holders on copyright levy and advertising industry clients.

Tsvetkova Bebov & Partners, member of Eversheds Sutherland focusses on data protection and copyright. The team drafts licensing and transfer agreements, advises on mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring. Lawyers also assist with data protection compliance and represent clients before the courts.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

Top

events are being transformed by technologies like AI algorithms, live streaming as well as XR, and have been disrupting the entertainment market.

The increasing daily consumption of digital entertainment and the fact that the end-users are looking for personalised experience leads to many business opportunities. The business model of media companies and their innovative solutions attract investor interest, be it strategic, VCs or private equity.

      The 2023 European Media Industry Outlook reports that 44 per cent of Europeans would like to see more films and series coming from their home country, ahead of content from other European countries (28 per cent). The same trend is applicable to Bulgaria where the production of local films is supported by the Bulgarian Law on the Film Industry.

Video games have emerged as one of the main media sectors. Revenue is continuously growing, mainly driven by mobile games, which are an important gateway to Extended Reality, and a promising market.

Media websites, video platforms, social media, music, podcasts, gaming, metaverse and digital

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