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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

TIER 1

Borenius is one of the largest firms in Finland covering multiple media segments including television, music and entertainment. Known for its high quality work, the team routinely advises on audio-visual broadcast production, sports rights and online media. The firm specialises in commercial and contractual work and has extensive experience acting for wide ranging clients in cases of digital transformation of businesses and the planning and development of new digital media services.

Focussed on media, sports and entertainment, Castrén & Snellman is a leading choice for local and global media clients. The practice is one of the oldest in the region with a high profile reputation for handling core media law and broader cases of licensing, e-commerce and competition law. The team represents Songhi Entertainment in various legal matters related to the re-launch of the Songhi music portal service and acts for several Finnish video game companies on sponsorship deals.

Magnusson is an international law firm focused on delivering top-quality legal services for the

Nordic-Baltic region and globally. Renowned for our expertise in sector-related corporate

transactions, freedom of speech cases, dispute resolution matters and entertainment, including

the sports sector, music, and film, our team embodies a modern, cross-border approach. Led by

Managing Partner Tomi Merenheimo, with Partners Anu Vuori, Ville Salonen, Lauri Toivio and

Jukka Blomberg, our Media Law team provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, new media

and technology agreements, dispute resolution, and content production. Our commitment to going

the extra mile for our clients defines our practice.

Roschier is routinely highlighted by peers and clients as a leader in the legal market for media and entertainment. The practice focusses on copyright law, broadcast license applications and compliance. In representative work, the firm assisted Discovery Networks with a complex broadcast license re-organisation involving new licenses and the reorganisation of free-to-air channels. Lawyers also advise on communications regulation, competition law and data protection.

TIER 2

Media lawyers at Dittmar & Indrenius have in-depth knowledge of data protection and marketing. The firm’s broader focus on media stems from its intellectual property, technology and outsourcing practice groups. The team has notable experience advising digital media companies. The practice is also known for its focus on games, entertainment and privacy.

Hannes Snellman’s combined IP and TMT practice group has a primary emphasis on risk management, technology transfers and litigation. The firm represented Japanese corporation GungHo Online Entertainment on its USD1.53 billion acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Supercell Oy, a Finnish online gaming company. The practice also works with broadcasters, publishers and music companies.

With emphasis on copyright and data protection, media work at Krogerus is grouped with technology and intellectual property. The firm is noted by competitors for its high visibility and sector specialisation. The media devision handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters including commercial exploitation through distribution.

Procopé & Hornborg regularly advises on film, music and game matters. The practice also specialises in copyright licensing and enforcement. The firm is notable for its work representing clients in litigation and international arbitration proceedings.

TIER 3

Eversheds Sutherland works predominantly with international publishing houses and content producers. The firm’s media division brings together entertainment, sport and consumer services to provide expansive sector coverage. Lawyers regularly advise on book and music publishing, television and film, the games industry, as well as online services such as content provision for online platforms.

Merilampi works with media clients from multiple segments, from television and film to advertising and publishing. The team advises on regulation, legislation and the contractual framework of sports and entertainment events. Lawyers assist with production agreements, corporate transactions and litigation.

TIER 4

Copyright and marketing specialist HH Partners works closely with publishing and technology companies on all aspects of licensing and dispute resolution.The team represents domestic and international clients in courts, including administrative courts.

FINLAND

The past year has been characterised

by the entry into force, or the preparation, of various important legislation and regulation for media and communications.

These include the DSA, which aims to regulate the activity of major platforms and combat the dissemination of illegal content and misinformation online; the European Media Freedom Act, which proposes rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU; the new French law framing the activity of influencers targeting the French public (Law of June 9, 2023).

These new regulations are substantially changing the media sector, the activities of industry players and the balance of power in the market.

Intervention and regulation by competition and data protection authorities are also major issues for the French media market. By way of example, the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority) has just fined CANAL+ group a significant amount for non-compliance with regulations governing the protection of personal data (Decision dated of 12/12/2023).

In the audiovisual sector, particularly tough negotiations are underway between TV service publishers and distributors, notably Internet service providers. At stake in these negotiations is the control of customer data, with the aim of deploying new advertising offers - segmented advertising on television was recently authorised in France, whereas it was historically prohibited.

Finally, the deployment of generative artificial intelligence solutions is a major concern for the media. At stake are both the opportunities offered by new methods of content creation, and the unauthorised use of media content by AIs.

Many French media, as well as collecting societies, such as SACEM, have announced

that they are blocking the use of their content by AI robots.