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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Growth in China’s media industry continues to be high, with ongoing levels of activity, from commercial to regulatory.

Video games, eSports and advertising are among the country’s main growth drivers of an industry valued to reach approximately USD80 billion by 2027, according to PwC’s Global Entertainment and Media Industry Outlook.

Cecilia Yau, PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong Media Leader, explained: “The year 2023 marked a key turning point for the E&M industry, and the industry is expected to see a gradual recovery to its pre-pandemic growth rate after 2023. A wide range of companies are now harnessing technology in particular, artificial intelligence, to improve productivity and creativity.”

China’s gaming regulator proposed new rules to restrict the amount of time and money that players can spend on video games, in a move to limit compulsive and “irrational“ behaviours.

The rules, announced in December, ban companies from providing incentives that encourage people to play video games in a USD45 billion industry.

Under the proposed regulation, companies will be required to create warning messages to users who show compulsive playing behaviours.

Steven Leung, Executive Director of Institutional Sales at broker UOB Kay Hian, in Hong Kong, commented: “It’s not necessarily the regulation itself - it’s the policy risk that’s too high.” He added: “People had thought this kind of risk should have been over and had started to look at fundamentals again. It hurts confidence a lot.”

Among the new measures is one broadly expected to be welcomed by the industry. Regulators will be required to process game approvals within 60 days. On the same day the proposals were released, regulators announced the approval of 40 new imported games.

TIER 1

Sports and digital media are Bird & Bird’s core focus areas. The firm represents high profile clients in the sports industry, including Jazeera’s beIN Sport. The team advises mobile game publishers and corporate clients on sports-related sponsorships. Data protection is also a key area of focus for the firm, which works with clients from the Asia-Pacific region on related-matters.

Lawyers at Fangda Partners advise on commercial and regulatory aspects of the telecommunications, media and internet markets. The team works with content providers and broadcasters on licensing and outsourcing contracts, e-commerce, advertising, intellectual property and advices on regulatory changes.

Media and Entertainment expert Hylands Law Firm is recognised by peers and clients for its film and television specialisation. The team advises on adaptation and creation of script, investment and financing, Sino-foreign co-productions and the import and export of film and television content. Lawyers also represent music and recoding companies, print publishers and sports industry clients.

O’Melveny is a recognised leader for media law. Its sector coverage includes entertainment, sports, internet and emerging technologies. The team acts for high profile television, music and new media companies, strategic investors and individual talent.

TIER 2

Baker McKenzie has been doing business in China for 40 years. With its primary emphasis on intellectual property, the firm is a popular choice for copyright cases across segment including entertainment, sports and technology. The team also focusses on cross-border litigation and enforcement in both regions.

Clifford Chance’s cross-border advice dominates its TMT work. The practice is well regarded by peers for its advice on anti-trust and competition law. Practitioners specialise in sector-related public-to-private transactions, mergers and overseas acquisitions.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is known for its sector-related corporate and transactional work. Lawyers advise strategic and financial investors on all aspects of the TMT sectors in Asia, including strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. The firm’s clients include, DreamWorks Animation, Tencent and Universal Studios.

Simmons & Simmons has a dedicated TMT practice specialising in corporate and commercial matters. The firm has a diverse portfolio that includes leading online, e-commerce and entertainment companies. The team has extensive experience representing multinational companies, including software companies and venture capital investors in China and the US.

TIER 3

Covington & Burling is appointed by Hollywood studios and leading independent production studios. The team advises television companies, sports organisations, funds and investors, individual actors and directors. The practice is also known for advice on complex regulatory matters.

Deacons primarily focusses on intellectual property advice to media and entertainment clients. The firm is appointed by multinational companies that include Hollywood studios, production houses and distributors, music publishers and advertisers. Llawyers assisted Hong Kong’s largest television network, advised Twentieth Century Fox on high-profile film projects in China and advised on the establishment of a distribution company.

Wanhuida Intellectual Property is among the region’s leaders for copyright, enforcement and litigation. Present since 1992, the firm has a high profile client base that includes multinational companies. Lawyers at the firm are highly reputed for their litigation skils.

TIER 4

Grandall Legal Group concentrates on intellectual property advice with key areas of work including unfair competition, licensing, investment and financing of rights. Lawyers also assist with overseas mergers and acquisitions and act for companies establishing a presence abroad. Other service areas include telecommunications, IT and e-commerce.

King & Wood Mallesons has a global focus on entertainment, data protection and privacy. The media group advises on complex regulatory requirements, transactions and disputes. Other areas of focus include digital advertising, technology and sector-related tax.

Liu, Shen & Associates specialises in intellectual property. Founded in 1993, the practice has an established copyright division with long-standing emphasis on protection and enforcement. The firm’s media group also handles litigation and dispute resolution.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges acts for media and entertainment clients on corporate and transactional cases ranging from spin-offs and IPOs to financings and restructurings. The team has extensive experience advising overseas clients on complex contractual and licensing disputes.