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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Lebanon’s fast growing music industry has led to sector expansion, with NTFs and the metaverse bringing artists and audiences closer together, say lawyers, while generating an increase in legal instruction relating to copyright and performers rights.  

Over the past year, media and entertainment growth has also been visible across video streaming services, with revenue growth projected to reach USD7.81 million in 2023. The number of users is expected to reach 0.8 million by 2027, according to Statista.

Lawyers say legal work has been dominated by regulatory-related matters, structuring transactions as well as drafting and negotiating a vast range of media and entertainment-related contracts.

Other developments include a vast increase in legal advice on television format rights, as well as production, local adaptation, broadcasting and digital rights. Lawyers have been involved in cases relating to advertising, product placement, broadcasting, data privacy as well as recording and publishing.

The legal market structure remains stable, with Abou Jaoude & Associates, Alem & Associates and Badri and Salim El Meouchi Law Firm maintaining their joint Tier 1 positions.

TIER 1

Abou Jaoude & Associates leads the market with a dedicated new media law practice, advising traditional and digital companies on corporate and transactional cases. The firm’s media lawyers advise on advertising, and intellectual property, production and post-production. Other sector-related work includes advising on unfair competition law and acquisitions.

Clients highlight Alem & Associates for its “outstanding delivery, out-of-the-box solutions and strong negotiation skills”. Lawyers are routinely praised by clients for their negotiations skills and the “excellent service provided of international standards”. In representative work the team advised Charisma Group on its acquisition of regional exclusive license and production rights from CBS Studio for the television format of Entertainment Tonight.

Badri and Salim El Meouchi’s media focus is driven by its IP and IT department, which covers multiple segments including entertainment, sports and advertising. The team advises local and international clients on copyright, e-commerce, internet, licensing and sports sponsorship.  

TIER 2

Recognised as a regional leader, Baroudi & Associates specialises in media and advertising. Lawyers assist with dispute resolution, unfair competition, copyright and regulation. In representative work, the team acted for a leading Gulf-based media network in a dispute with the Lebanese Ministry of Information over an exclusive broadcasting contract.

Chedid Law Offices, in association with Dentons is a Dentons-associated firm. With access to an international network, the firm’s TMT group works on a broad range of cases. The team advises on cable and satellite television, advertising, regulation and unfair competition.  Lawyers also act for clients from the publishing, film and music industries.

TIER 3

El-Khoury & Partners is highly specialised in intellectual property protection within the media and entertainment sector, assisting governments, publishing and e-commerce companies. The team advises on media, advertising, franchising and distribution agreements. Other areas of work include unfair trading and competition.

Levant Law Practice’s media focus is combined with its telecommunication work. The firm represented a leading international operator in the negotiation of licenses and advised on related agreements. Lawyers also acted for a leading television network in all its corporate activities and litigation matters.

Intellectual property forms the foundations of Obeid & Partners’s sector specialisation. From cross-border advice to commercial law, the team works across a range of services. Team activity includes copyright protection, contract analysis, licence acquisition and technology transfer.  

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

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