JUVE Handbuch 2023/24

"Media - contract and copyright law
The media law boutique is in high demand, especially among film producers. Long-standing clients from the local Hamburg market and across the country rely on the experienced team for their film or TV series productions. Thus, it is not uncommon for  Graef to negotiate with major TV channels or streaming providers on the opposing side, for example, for its client 27 Kilometer in connection with a Netflix production. Another focus of the firm is advising the publishing industry. For many years, various renowned publishing houses have relied on the services of the team in copyright matters. Another source of new clients is the review of content – both in print and moving pictures – for compliance with press law. The firm also advises the games industry, mostly in the context of transactions, which in many cases raise data privacy issues. With Christian Rauda, Graef fields a recognized games expert, who advises a number of reputable market players.

Strengths: Extensive experience with TV and film productions, reviews of scripts.

Frequently recommended: Dr. Christian Rauda ("a very good lawyer with a quick mind," competitor), Dr. Ralph Graef.

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishing houses and the games industry. Copyright law, licensing. Advising artists and rights holders on copyright law, including litigation.

Clients: 27 Kilometer Entertainment (legal advice on film law for Netflix production 'Haftbefehl'); Docdays Productions (ongoing legal advice, including on co-productions, financing and distribution; Filmfest HH (legal advice on event implementation); Kiez Tournee (legal advice on bestseller compensation proceedings (before Hamburg Regional Court and Court of Appeals); Network Movie Film- u. Fernsehproduktion (legal advice on various productions); Ulysses Filmproduktion (legal advise on various matters, including major animation project); regular clients: BytroLabs, Daedalic Entertainment, Dropkick Pictures, Filmförderung HH Schleswig-Holstein, Giants Software, InnoGames, nordmedia, Penguin Random House, Astrid Lindgren Company, Verlagsgruppe Oetinger, ESL Gaming (including legal advice on data privacy law).

Press law and freedom of speech
Assessment: The Hamburg media law boutique specializes in press law and freedom of speech, in particular the review of manuscripts and scripts. The firm's success in this area is due, in particular, to excellent contacts to the local publishing and film production industry. However, the team, which also advises on media and copyright law, is also consolidating its position in the international arena. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that two renowned British publishers, Cambridge and Oxford University Press, rely on the firm's services for press law issues in Germany.

Specialties: Press law review of scripts and manuscripts.

Clients: Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press (ongoing legal advice on press law issues); Kamphausen Media (legal advice on press law, book reviews); Penguin Random House (legal advice on various matters, including reviews of manuscripts); Oetinger publishing group (ongoing legal advice on press law); British production and marketing company (ongoing legal advice on press law)"