HUNGARY

Hungary’s media regulation, ownership and independence have been areas of contention throughout 2015, from advertising tax and the exit of Dirk Gerkens from RTL to the ownership of TV2 Group.

After the government introduced a controversial tax advertising last year that reached 50 per cent, the European Commission launched an investigation that would “make sure there is no unfair discrimination against certain media companies”.

The investigation followed a complaint from German-owned RTL that its Hungarian business was the only media company in the top bracket, putting it in a "structurally loss-making position".

Amid conflict CEO of RTL Dirk Gerkens stepped down in March last year. The government subsequently submitted a bill to parliament amending the rate from 50 per cent to 5.3 per cent.

Other important events include the high profile public dispute between Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his closest ally of 30 years, Lajos Simicska, which led to media independence and ownership becoming the most topical issues of the year.

A right-wing business tycoon, Mr Simicska owns leading conservative daily newspaper Magyar Nemzet, television news channel HirTV and Lanchid radio station.

All three media assets, formerly known for being pro-government, were affected by the tax that led Magyar Nemzet newspaper to describe the tax as an attempt to “step on the throat of press freedom”.

Following the fall out, media market domination became a central focus for President Orban and Mr Simicska as both sides fought for ownership of the country’s second largest commercial television channel, TV2, after its sale was announced.

Ownership change and expansion will continue to reshape the market this year as the “media war” leads to acquisitions, exits and the relaunch of state media, the latter including 24-hour television news channel M1 and sports channel M4.

TIER 1

CMS Cameron McKenna houses one of the largest TMT groups in the country. Working with its UK office, the local team assisted a Polish telecommunications operator with the launch of its satellite-based television platform. The team, managed by Dóra Petrányi, works on wider sector-related matters such as advertising tax, regulatory compliance and disputes.

Media lawyers at Lakatos, Köves and Partners provide "timely and pro-active responses”. The team is also described by clients as proactive and reliable. Péter Lakatos manages the TMT group working on transactional cases connected with cable television, radio, print and online media.

TIER 2

Intellectual property is the primary focus of Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie. The team advises a range of clients including games and software producers, television production companies and publishers. Managed by Zoltán Hegymegi-Barakonyi, lawyers regularly assist clients from the audio-visual sector on matters ranging from license agreements to litigation.

Lendvai and Partners is one of Hungary’s leading media specialists focussed on corporate transactions. Founding partner András Lendvai takes the lead on high profile cases including the cross-border acquisition of a Czech newspaper distributor by the Hungarian subsidiary of a global media company. The team also assisted a London-based television broadcaster on infringement of a television series title.

Morley Allen & Overy Iroda works with audio-visual sector clients, advising on cross-border transactions. The Budapest team is backed by the firm’s global network of lawyers and works closely with neighbouring CEE regions. Key practitioner Hugh Owen represents international clients and has particular experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and takeovers.

Oppenheim’s industry commitment is evidenced by its media, publishing and entertainment practice group. Covering contentious and non-contentious work, the team advises on contract negotiations, licensing and disputes. Attila Terényi is among key contacts for media, with knowledge of data protection, copyright and commercial transactions.

TIER 3

Led by Viktor Vasi, the TMT practice at Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners has a strong track record of working with multinational media companies including radio and television networks. In highlighted work, lawyers acted for a leading Hungarian television channel in a high value lawsuit with an external programme producer. The firm also has a niche focus on gaming and extensive experience working with online and land-based gaming clients.

Focussing on corporate, regulatory and anti-trust matters, PRK Partners’ media and telecommunications division is notably active in all three areas of work. The firm served as counsel to a regional television broadcaster in proceedings involving an intellectual property dispute against a telecommunications operator. The team also advised Ringier Axel Springer on the acquisition of a majority stake in Azet.sk, the most visited internet portal in Slovak.

Copyright and data protection are among core focus areas at VJT & Partners. The team advises global media and entertainment companies on local data protection policy, advertising and marketing. Key practitioners János Tamás and Varga Gábor Hacsi also have extensive experience advising on the transfer and assignment of copyright.

TIER 4

Established in 2012, boutique firm Anna Beke-Martos is focussed exclusively on media, entertainment and intellectual properly. Founding partner Anna Beke-Martos has an in-depth understanding of advertising and consumer protection laws, barriers to entry to the linear and non-linear European markets and data protection. In highlighted work, the team negotiated, structured and drafted a complex television format deal.

Balazs & Kovatsits Legal Partnership has a good track record advising on copyright matters connected with software, literary works and compositions. The team has extensive experience drafting license contracts and advising on e-commerce, data protection and competition law.

Ranking and editorials

TIER 1

CMS Cameron McKenna

Lakatos, Köves and Partners

TIER 2

Kajtár Takács Hegymegi-Barakonyi Baker & McKenzie

Lendvai and Partners

Morley Allen & Overy Iroda

Oppenheim

TIER 3

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners

Horváth & Partners DLA Piper

Knight Bird & Bird Iroda

Partos & Noblet - Associated with Hogan Lovells

PRK Partners

Réti, Antall & Partners

VJT & Partners

TIER 4

Anna Beke-Martos

Balazs & Kovatsits Legal Partnership

Dentons

Kinstellar

Weil, Gotshal & Manges

RANKING AND EDITORIALS