Home About MLI Firm Rankings Products e-Zine Research & Methodology

Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

Continued OTT expansion in Lithuania, and the wider Baltic region, takes TV3 Group’s subscriber rate to 130 thousand in less than six months, meanwhile data protection breaches led to a fine of EUR15,000 in Q4 2020.

The OTT service reached the milestone rate in June 2020, making it the largest streaming platform in the Baltics.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia follow the global trend of growing demand for OTT services. Go3, which launched TV3 Group, had a 25 per cent increase in subscriptions in Q1 2020. This rate was further accelerated during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

TV3 Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Christian Anting, commented: “Reaching this milestone ahead of plan is an important validation of our

media convergence strategy built around three pillars: investment in local content, best-in-class technology and close distribution partnerships with telecommunication partners.”

In October, Lithuania’s personal data protection supervisory, The State Data Protection Inspectorate, imposed an administrative fine for infringements of Articles 5(1)(d) and 5(1)(f).

Breaches include ‘a failure to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures, thus, failing to ensure the accuracy of processed personal data when processing personal data’.

LITHUANIA

TIER 1

The Triniti Jurex team advises broadcasting organisations, content creators, journalists and producers on licensing, regulation, advertising and IP-related matters. Trusted as a legal advisor of various e-platforms for entertainment, the Triniti Jurex team’s work is closely related to data protection and privacy. The team is led by Vilija Viesunaite, who an experienced litigation lawyer and European Patent Attorney, together with Aurelija Rutkauskaite, Certified Data Protection Officer. Lawyers handle data protection, IT & telecoms, IP, media and competition law, as well as dispute resolution.

Sorainen handles a full spectrum of matters connected with media sector cases, inducing tax and IT services, project financing and employment matters. Head of division Stasys Drazdauskas has more than a decade of experience that includes media-related dispute resolution, arbitration and advice on data protection. The firm is appointed by leading media companies including Google, Skype, Modern Times Group and Nordic Gaming.

TGS Baltic has high market visibility, matched by its extensive experience. Managed by Mindaugas Civilka the team advises on licensing, regulation, advertising and intellectual property related to broadcasting. In representative work, the firm assisted a leading international entertainment broadcasting group with one of the biggest disputes over the alleged infringement of authors’ rights in Lithuania. In other work the team advised the BBC on a multi-million film finance project.

Ellex Valiunas has a long-standing focus on the media and entertainment industries. Known for its high profile client base, the firm handles complex commercial disputes, advises on non-competition agreements and assists with the sale of television and radio stations. Key partners include Vytautas Mizaras and Jaunius Gumbis whose work involve IP and IT law. In highlighted work the team represented leading Lithuanian basketball players in a complex multi-jurisdictional dispute.

TIER 2

Cobalt has vast involvement in regulatory aspects of media sector cases. The team advises on regulatory frameworks of electronic communications and broadcasting. Lawyers also assist with copyright, privacy, licensing and data protection. Irmantas Norkus, who manages the practice, has 15 years of experience advising high-profile clients. The firm’s clients include radio, television and print media companies.

Glimstedt assists media and telecoms operators with online defamation, advertising and e-commerce. The team drafts privacy policies, internal corporate documentation relation to technology, data protection and planning strategies. Other areas of work include advice on juridical and extra-judicial settlements of disputes. Led by litigation specialist Egidijus BernotasEgidijus Bernotas, the team handles cross-border regulatory issues and acts for institutional investors.

Primus is active in multiple cases relating to broadcasting. The firm is appointed by a number of Estonian radio and television broadcasting companies in relation to licensing, operation of stations, IP matters and dispute resolution. Led by Gediminas Pranevičius, the team acted for Estonian cable operator Starman in negotiations with television network operator Levira. The case involved the establishment of a digital terrestrial television network.

TIER 3

AAA Law’s media work stems from its focus on intellectual property and technology. Managing partner Otilija Klimaitienė leads the team in its work on intellectual property management and protection, advice on author’s rights and defense of breached rights. The team also handles online disputes, data protection and the regulation of e-commerce and electronic advertising.

The media and communications team at Eversheds Saladžius advises on national and EU regulatory compliance and notably on convergence in telecommunications, broadcasting and online segments. Clients include a US-based data communications distributor and a British television quiz producer.

TIER 1

Sorainen

TGS Baltic

Ellex Valiunas

Triniti Jurex

TIER 2

Cobalt

Glimstedt

Primus

Vilgerts

TIER 3

AAA Law