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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

TIER 1

The media team at Al Tamimi & Company works with clients from publishing and broadcasting sectors on film and television distribution throughout the region, including via OTT services. Lawyers advise on content production, copyright assignment, financing and local production incentives. The firm also assists with content regulation and compliance connected with digital advertising and sponsorships.

Sultan Al-Abdulla & Partners demonstrates a dedication to the sports industry with an independent dedicated practice group. Lawyers are experienced in preparing and negotiating agreements for hosting, marketing, sponsorship and broadcasting. The firm also has an intellectual property division that specialises in litigation.  

TIER 2

Al-Ansari & Associates focusses on digital media. The firm’s core practice groups include TMT and IP with advice ranging from copyright protection and unfair competition to media sector convergence. Lawyers also advise on related technology and telecommunications matters of local and international significance.

Dentons has extensive involvement in entertainment and sports sector cases. In representative work the team advised OSN on its bid for media rights to international cricket matches, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), for the MENA region for the period 2015-2023.  

Eversheds Sutherland specialises in commercial and corporate matters including joint ventures and acquisitions. Lawyers advise on a broad range of industry cases, notably TMT-related commercial contracts and on the impact of Qatari law on international supply contracts.

TIER 3

Peers describe Hassan A Alkhater Law Office as an established part of the country’s legal structure. The full-service practice is high recognised nationally for the quality of its work, and is noted for his extensive litigation experience.   

Swiss firm Lalive provides advisory and dispute resolution services to national sports committees, international sports federations, athletes and professional agents. The media team advises on sporting bans, commercial contracts and media rights. Lawyers are also experienced arbitrators and counsel before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, headquartered in Lausanne.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

Top

Qatar has had remarkable growth in digital media over the past year, with notable growth in streaming and advertising segments, as well as in the sports and film industries.

According to DataReportal’s report, Digital 2023, Qatar had 2.62 million social media users in January 2023, with internet penetration at a rate of 99 per cent.

Projections for the digital advertising market in 2023 reached USD570 million, with a projected 91 per cent of market revenue to be generated through programmatic advertising in 2027, according to market data from Statista.

In other developments, media freedom has been topical over the past year on account of reporting rules imposed during the Fifa World Cup that restricted filming at ‘residential properties, private businesses and industrial zones’ or government, educational and religious buildings.

Lawyers say that Qatar is recognised for its strict media laws, with cybercrime laws imposing fine or prison sentences.

QATAR