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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

TIER 1

Raja, Darryl & Loh leads the market with its media law specialisation. With particular expertise in defamation, lawyers routinely act for prominent individuals and publications in cases of libel, slander, malicious falsehood and contempt of court. The team has extensive experience representing print media and online media on freedom of speech, privacy protection and reputation management.  

The media team at Shearn Delamore & Co works collaboratively with the firm’s IP, IT, and telecoms lawyers, providing multidisciplinary advice. The firm assists gaming clients, local and overseas, with the review of structure, content and compliance of computer games. The team also advises on data privacy and protection, entertainment law, satellite television operations and e-commerce.

TIER 2

Multidisciplinary lawyers at Naqiz & Partners work across segments and practice areas including corporate, commercial and transactional. The firm’s media division works closely with the TMT and IP practices and includes a focus on emerging technology, e-commerce and data privacy.  

The TMT group at Shook Lin & Bok brings together transactional, dispute resolution and regulatory expertise. Lawyers have notable experience advising on communications and content distribution. The team assists client with outsourcing arrangements and contract negotiation, management and exits. Copyright and e-commerce also form part of the firm’s focus areas.

TIER 3

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s IP and ICT group has a subdivision dedication to media, advertising and entertainment. Lawyers work with clients on celebrity endorsement and exclusivity agreements, advertising content for regulatory compliance issues and restrictions on advertising. Other focus areas include e-commerce, marketing and dispute resolution.

Rahmat Lim and Partners emphasis is on intellectual property and technology aspects of law that interact with media. The firm’s primary focus is on copyright management and protection. The team advises local and multinational companies on non-contentious matters including compliance, licensing and regulation.

The TMT practice group of IP boutique firm Wong Jin Nee & Teo (WJNT) has vast experience in advertising compliance. Working closely with media agencies, in-house and external legal counsels, as well as corporate marketing teams to conduct legal review of advertisement content, the team routinely assists clients across various industries including the technology, financial, medical, F&B and consumer goods sectors. WJNT also regularly advises on data privacy issues, as well as regulatory, licensing and other IP-related matters in the gaming, technology and telecommunications segments. Key contacts for WJNT's TMT practice group include Jin Nee Wong and Joanne Kong.

TIER 4

Established in 1963, Skrine has long-standing experience acting for domestic and international clients across segments of the entertainment industry including television, radio, publishing, music and advertising. Lawyers advise on competition, acquisitions and joint ventures. The team works with celebrities on the management of intellectual property rights and contract negotiation.

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  REGIONS WE COVER

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  Central and Eastern Europe

Investment in local content and competitive pricing strategies are accelerating video streaming growth in Malaysia, according to GlobalData.

Commenting on contributing factors to national growth, Kantipudi Pradeepthi, Telecoms Analyst at GlobalData, explained the importance of foreign investment and heavy contribution in high-quality regional content.

Mr Pradeepthi said: “To appeal to the larger Malay demographic, it is necessary for foreign players to have local partners. For instance, in June 2021, Netflix inked a partnership with pay-TV operator Astro to be hosted on the latter’s platform, complementing its lack of vernacular content.”

Other research findings show the video streaming segment is expected to reach USD93 million by the end of 2021, and USD172 million by 2026.

In other developments, lawyers highlight trends in the film production segment, leading to multiple industry mandates.

Over the past year, lawyers have advised broadcasters and distributors on international licensing and distribution. Other work includes advising on theatrical productions as well as a range of entertainment projects.

Data protection remains an important area of focus for media businesses and lawyers, as well as regulatory and compliance issues relating to advertising and gambling.

MALAYSIA