JUVE Handbook 2021/22

“Media: contract and copyright law - In the book publishing and film industry, the Hamburg media law firm is regarded as a trusted source of legal advice. In addition to standard reviews of manuscripts, its clients rely on the firm for a wide range of media-related issues. Contract advice on film adaptations of books is a particular niche of the firm. For example, the firm advised Ulysses Filmproduktion on the co-production of "Amazing Maurice." Complementing the firm's in-depth copyright and licensing know-how is its trademark and litigation expertise, including in the gaming industry, where the firm most recently advised Daedalic Entertainment on licensing issues for the games by Ken Follett and Lord of the Rings.

Strengths: Vast experience with TV and film productions, script reviews.

Often recommended: Dr. Christian Rauda ("accomplished media lawyer who truly provides legal advice from a single source," client; "legal, brilliant and yet fast and pragmatic," competitor), Dr. Ralph Graef ("shrewd tactician, very well connected in the media," client).

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishers and the gaming industry. Copyright law, licenses. Advising artists and rightsholders on copyright law, also in litigation matters. The firm also advises on press law.

Client matters: Quadrat Capital, media law advice for startup investments; a&o buero filmproduktion, film law advice regarding VW and Audi diesel scandal; the Astrid Lindgren Company, advice on all issues of international copyright law. DOCDAYS Productions, advice  on film and financing law, e.g., for the documentaries Projekt Charite, Projekt Corona; Tigermedia, advice on all issues of licensing, copyright law and litigation. Daedalic Entertainment, advice on licensing of rights for games by Ken Follett, among others; ESL Gaming, advice on media law and data privacy rights; advice on all issues of media law in the gaming context: GIANTS Software, Paintbucket Games, Phoenix Games, BeamNG.

Press law and freedom of speech: The Hamburg law firm is known, above all, for press law reviews of books and film scripts. The firm is also associated for rough cut reviews on a regular basis, most recently for the book 'Bad Company' and the Charite documentary by its client Docdays Productions. Another mainstay of the firm is legal counsel for stakeholders, which clients have described as "tactically skilful". A natural cosmetics manufacturer also relies on the firm's expertise in a dispute with Recherchenetzwerk Deutschland and Hannoversche Neue Presse. The manufacturer also uses the firm's services in data protection and media law matters, proof of how closely related these practice areas are.

Specialties: Advising publishers and interested parties

 Client matters:  Argon Verlag AVE, ongoing advice on script reviews, and advice on co-productions, e.g., for Aldi-Brüder, Project Lehman Brothers, Angela Merkel; ongoing press law book reviews: Oxford University Press, e.g., "Nazis and Nobles"; Murmann Publishers, "Inside the App Store"; Random House, e.g., "Bad Company"; Patrizia Immobilien vs. various newspapers re news reports; ongoing legal counsel: Free Democratic Party (FDP), Oetinger Publishing Group, Global Poverty, major city in Northern Germany, natural cosmetics brand, including data protection law, financial investor.”