Media and entertainment is in our blood at Hamlins. We value our strong relationships with many influential business and individuals in the sector, for whom we have been trusted advisors for many years.

We act for publishers, production companies, rights holders and various other brands in the industry. The breadth of our client base and our relationships within the sector put our clients at an advantage when any legal issues arise. We are well placed to offer our clients not only sound legal advice, but pragmatic commercial expertise.

This has included advising clients in the on-going phone hacking litigation, as well as working closely with collecting societies like PPL and PRS. The team is also at the forefront in the protection of music rights, having achieved ground breaking Court decisions spanning over thirty years.

Media and entertainment is in our blood at Hamlins. We value our strong relationships with many influential business and individuals in the sector, for whom we have been trusted advisors for many years.

We act for publishers, production companies, rights holders and various other brands in the industry. The breadth of our client base and our relationships within the sector put our clients at an advantage when any legal issues arise. We are well placed to offer our clients not only sound legal advice, but pragmatic commercial expertise.

This has included advising clients in the on-going phone hacking litigation, as well as working closely with collecting societies like PPL and PRS. The team is also at the forefront in the protection of music rights, having achieved ground breaking Court decisions spanning over thirty years.

Case Study

Private: TRAP Worldwide

Advising and acting on behalf of long term client TRAP Worldwide (Trade mark and Rights holders Against Piracy). TRAP is the industry trade body for the UK music merchandising industry on issues such as unauthorised copying/counterfeiting of band merchandise, coordinating …

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Case Study

Private: La Liga Lowdown

Providing advice to digital and content creation channel for Spanish football ‘La Liga’. Advice includes the structuring and securing of various rights, securing of content and associated rights with various high profile Spanish footballers including Lewis Garcia, Victor Sanchez Del …

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Case Study

Private: Music Collecting Societies

Hamlins act for Phonographic Performance Limited and PRS For Music in the protection of their copyright in sound recordings and musical works. Between them, the collecting societies represent hundreds of thousands of performers, composers and record companies and collect hundreds …

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Recommendations

‘Martin Ochs (Leading Individual) has brilliant attention to detail and knowledge of copyright law.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Media and Entertainment (including Media Finance)

‘Martin Ochs: his mix between business/commercialism and legal is what makes him perfect for us. He gives good and useful advice.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Media and Entertainment (including Media Finance)

‘With “true sector expertise”, Hamlins LLP is particularly well-known for its experience in the music sector, where it acts for UK music collecting societies, musicians and music publishers. Martin Ochs (who attracts praise for his “brilliant attention to detail and knowledge of copyright law”) leads the music sector practice. Beyond the music space, the group has a strong media offering headed up by Christopher Hutchings.’

Legal 500 2021 - Media and Entertainment (including Media Finance)

‘True sector expertise.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Media and Entertainment (including Media Finance) - ranked: Tier 3

‘Hamlins LLP stands out for its contentious music practice; the team, which is led by Martin Ochs (Next Generation Partner), handles litigation for the leading UK collecting societies, PPL, PRS For Music and PPLPRS.’

Legal 500 2020 - Media and Entertainment (Tier 3)

‘Christopher Hutchings (Notable Practitioner) heads the firm’s entertainment and media department and is noted for his extensive experience in reputation management matters including defamation and privacy disputes.’

Chambers and Partners 2020 (Notable Practitioner)

‘The team delivers “sensible, commercial advice’ and the team has ‘particularly good knowledge of the music business”.’

Legal 500 2019

Our Experience

    Hamlins are one of the most regular users of the Chancery Division of the High Court in this field, which regularly leads to reported and ground breaking judgements. Examples include:

    • Phonographic Performance Ltd -v- Fletcher [2015] EWHC 2562 (Ch)
    • Phonographic Performance Ltd -v- Nash [2014] EWHC 3986 (Ch)
    • ITV Broadcasting Limited and Others v TVCatchup Limited and Others [2015] EWCA Civ 204
    • Phonographic Performance Ltd v Balogun (t/a Mama Africa) [2018] EWHC 1327 (Ch)
    • Phonographic Performance Ltd -v- John t/a Socialite [2015] EWHC 3394 (Ch)
    • FA Premier League Ltd v QC Leisure & Others [2008] EWHC 1411 (Ch) UEFA v Euroview Sport Ltd [2010] EWHC 1066 (Ch)
    • Football Association Premier League Ltd and others v QC Leisure and others [2012] EWHC 108 (Ch)
    • UEFA v Euroview Sport Ltd [2010] EWHC 1066 (Ch)
    • Football Association Premier League Ltd and others v QC Leisure and others [2012] EWHC 108 (Ch)
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INSIGHTS

Key contacts