ITALY

“Italy’s most significant trends over the past year relate to increasing investment in the production of audiovisual content, such as films, TV series, documentaries and reality, as a result of local subsidies and increasing numbers of operators and platforms”, explained Antonio Bernardini, Partner at Gallavoti Bernardini.

Industry M&A activity has also been noteworthy in Italy, with the completion of the Discovery/Warner Bros. merger in April last year, and the launch in September of the Paramount Plus streaming service, through its partnership with Sky.

In political developments, Italy’s new government took form in October last year and was called on to improve the legal framework for media freedom.

The International Press Institute, Article 19 Europe and Media Freedom Rapid Response raised concerns about free expression in the country, stating the need for legislative reforms.

Changes in the legal market structure have led to movements in the rankings with Nctm Studio Legale and Orsingher Ortu - Avvocati Associati rising to Tier 2. In other moves, Ponti - De Sanctis & Partners moved up to Tier 4, as did Tonucci & Partners.

TIER 1

Bird & Bird specialises in TMT and IP matters. The practice is recognised for its historic strength in technology and communications. Lawyers provide transactional support in the exploitation of rights, advice on data and privacy issues, content distribution and regulation. Other areas of expertise include sector-related tax, acquisitions and competition.

Portolano Cavallo is appointed by clients on the basis of its “professional skills, deep knowledge of legal matters, commitment and strong relationship within the media industry and local authorities”. The firm represents television networks and assists with complex regulatory and privacy issues, on a domestic and international scale. Lawyers also advise on film, technology and advertising in contentious and non-contentious cases.

TIER 2

With an international focus on media and advertising, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is recognised as a leading firm for all matters connected with television, radio and publishing sectors. The practice is distinguished for its expertise in antitrust, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and sales of programming distribution rights.

Cugia Cuomo & Associati is well regarded by its clients who say, “Work was conducted against very challenging time scales. The firm produced detailed and clearly considered results to meet the deadlines set.” The TMT group is active in regulatory matters, data protection and entertainment, and is well regarded by clients, who also commented: “The complexity and innovative features of the issues under review meant it would have been very difficult for a general commercial law firm to have supported this work. We felt confident from the written advice provided and related discussions that the lawyers advising had a strong underlying knowledge.”

As noted by one client, “Gallavotti Bernardini & Partners has prominent experience in the audio-visual and theatrical industries”. Clients also praise the firm’s lawyers for their deep understanding and practice of international acquisitions and rights exploitation.” In representative work the firm acted for Turner’s group companies, part of Time Warner Group, on mergers and acquisitions, business development transactions, contractual and regulatory matters.

The team at Hogan Lovells advises on TMT matters with a focus on antitrust at a compliance and litigation level. The team represents press publishers and broadcasters on regulation, distribution, franchising, unfair competition and copyright matters. The firm’s international focus on media and entertainment makes it a popular choice among local and global clients.

Advant Nctm is well regarded in the legal market and notably active in the broadcast and entertainment sectors. Local film production and distribution companies form part of the firm’s client base as do music companies and advertising agencies. The TMT practice also works with producers of video games and advises on corporate transactions that include joint ventures.

TIER 3

Media lawyers at Carnelutti Law Firm handle cases “with great professional attention and proactively,” say clients. The firm represents leading local broadcasters including Discovery Italia, Telelombardia and Rock TV. The team advises on broadcasting and programming regulatory frameworks, convergence of media and network technologies and commercial contracts.

Chiomenti has exceptional transactional experience acting for media clients including some of the largest commercial broadcasters. The TMT practice represents operators in the administrative and judicial courts, assists with regulatory matters and advises on the structuring of products and services. One broadcast clients commented: “Both senior and junior associates proved to have the required expertise. They are very strong in corporate law, M&A and antitrust.”

DLA Piper is exceptionally popular among media clients as one explains, “We have selected this firm for its outstanding media expertise. It is the firm to go to particularly for convergence and new media issues.” The firm’s media law team is part of the Intellectual Property and Technology department, and is recognised internationally for his extensive knowledge and experience. The team advises extensively on mergers and acquisitions, licensing agreements, on-demand content transmission deals and audio-visual production.

Mondini Bonora Ginevra’s involvement in media sector work has heightened as has its position in the legal market. Peers point to increased activity and visibility as the firm handles a greater portion of media and entertainment work. The team assists clients from the music, cinema, home video and publishing industries in litigation and non-judicial matters.

TIER 4

Media lawyers at BonelliErede have rigorous experience drafting contracts for convergence projects with mobile networks for digital television, outsourcing digital broadcasting networks and advising on the creation and operation of national digital broadcasting networks. The team also advises clients from the film, music and print industries.

Legance provides specialist advice on competition matters connected with traditional media and the

internet, before national and EU regulators. TMT lawyers advise on contractual matters, data protection and regulation. The team also drafts and negotiates agreements for the supply and management of communications services. Other areas of focus include corporate transactions that include mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and capital increase.

International firm Ponti - De Sanctis & Partners is highlighted by competitors as a “super leader for cinema.” The firm is a respected contender in the legal market and recognised for its work with entertainment and new technologies companies. The team advises on film and television financing, production and distribution, multimedia, music recording and publishing. The firm’s media team also specialises in copyright law and is experienced in assisting with rights management, stage rights licensing and talent representation.

TIER 5

Data protection, IT and IP segments drive media activity at Macchi di Cellere Gangemi. Work involves all aspects of privacy and data protection connected with the establishment and operation of websites in Italy. Lawyers also draft privacy policies and advise on data acquisition. The team works with entertainment sector clients on copyright matters and neighbouring rights.

Studio Legale Sutti focusses on advertising, copyright and competition. The team handles contentious and non-contentious cases for a range of clients. The firm’s media lawyers advise on licensing, unfair competition, antitrust, distribution and franchising. Litigation and arbitration are also among the firm’s key areas of practice.

Tonucci & Partners focusses on the broadcasting sector and has notable expertise in this area. The

firm’s work ranges from advice on film and television production and distribution to stage productions and

publishing. The TMT group also assists with the exploitation of all types of IP rights in the online gaming and e-commerce sectors.

Valli Mancuso & Associati acts for several foreign and local broadcasters. Lawyers assist free-to-air and pay-television companies with content acquisitions through purchase and license agreements.The team also represents sports clients on FIFA and the Italian football league on their trading of television, internet and radio rights.

TIER 1

Bird & Bird

Portolano Cavallo

TIER 2

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cugia Cuomo & Associati

emlex – Eva Maschietto Massimo Maggiore

Gallavotti Bernardini & Partners

Hogan Lovells

Advant Nctm

Orsingher Ortu

Osborne Clarke