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Specialist Guide to the
Global Leaders in Media Law Practice
TIER 1
Raja, Darryl & Loh
Shearn Delamore & Co
Shin Associates
TIER 2
Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill
Naqiz & Partners
Shook Lin & Bok
Tay & Partners
TIER 3
Chooi & Company + Cheang & Ariff
Christopher & Lee Ong
Rahmat Lim & Partners
Skrine
Zul Rafique & Partners
TIER 4
Abdul Raman Saad & Associates
Ram Caroline Sha & Syah
Wilson Lim
Wong & Partners
Wong Jin Nee & Teo
RANKING AND EDITORIALS
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. Managed Karen Abraham, the team also advises on data privacy and protection, entertainment law, satellite television operations and e-commerce.
TIER 2
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.
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. Managing partner Khairul Ismail leads the practice.
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
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. Led by Pauline Khor Hong Ping, the team advises local and multinational companies on non-contentious matters including compliance, licensing and regulation.
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. Key practitioners include Lee Tatt Boon and Charmayne Ong Poh Yin work with celebrities on the management of intellectual property rights and contract negotiation.
REGIONS WE COVER
Middle East and North Africa
North America
Asia-Pacific
Western Europe
Central and Eastern Europe
Controversy over film production licenses, concerns over freedom and speech as well as growth in the OTT market are among core developments in Malaysia’s media market over the past year.
In July, the authorities largely reversed a ruling in the same month that would have made it necessary to obtain a license for all forms of filming. This includes videos uploaded on social media.
Critics say that the legislation effectively criminalises everyone in the country who uses smartphones, a dashcam or home security camera systems - as all recording would require a licence.
In a statement, Communications and Multimedia Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, commented: ‘Social media users such as those of TikTok, YouTube are free to use the platforms to produce and upload
videos as usual without the need to apply for a licence or fear being charged under the Finas Act.’
Lawyers say there are growing concerns about the government’s approach to freedom of speech, with criminal investigations initiated against a media outlet and a book publisher.
In other developments, Malaysia’s OTT market is expanding, with the country’s largest pay TV operator preparing to launch a streaming service to rival Netflix and Amazon. Astro Malaysia intends to become a “super aggregator” of digital content supplied by international rivals.
