Media & Entertainment

DSK Legal has been consistently named as the best media and entertainment law firm in India over the past few years, on the basis of transactions and disputes handled by the team, client survey and feedback from lawyers from other law firms.

The advertising, media and entertainment industry in India has grown rapidly over the last decade, with Indian and foreign players working together in a symbiotic manner. DSK Legal’s advertising, media and entertainment group has a pre-eminent practice in this sector and is highly regarded for the in-depth knowledge and experience they bring to the table. The practice group has latitudinal experience across motion pictures, television, talent and celebrity managements, brand endorsements, music, internet and digital media, publishing, outdoor advertising, social media advertising, public relations, amongst others. The entertainment industry operates on a unique combination of strategic know-how, technological and economic finesse, and artistic talent. Our practice group has the much needed critical access to key players in the industry, providing clients with solution-oriented, business-friendly and dedicated legal advice.

As part of a multidisciplinary law firm with first class practices in dispute resolution, intellectual property, data protection and digital forensics, corporate and other disciplines which are key to our clients, our advertising, media and entertainment practice group is proud of the outstanding service that we provide. With the paradigm shifting in the advertising, media and entertainment space from innovative structures and the increasing use of technology, our practice group works alongside our clients to provide innovative and cutting-edge solutions within the legal and regulatory framework throughout the incubation, development, production and distribution cycle of a creative product or through the due diligence, negotiations right until closing of an acquisition.

Areas of Focus:

  • Motion Pictures and Television: Advising and negotiating for the development of content including acquisition of pre-existing copyright works, like books, films, plays, etc. format adaptations, format licensing. The team regularly acts as commercial-legal production counsels for advising, structuring and negotiating deals across various production and distribution models, for syndication and licensing of content for domestic and international film distribution across platforms (traditional and new media) in established and emerging markets.
  • Talent and celebrity management and brand endorsements: Acting in a commercial-legal role on behalf of some of India’s leading acting talent for their brand endorsements, and as hosts and participants in films, television reality shows.
  • Music and music celebrity management: Advising and negotiating, licensing and distribution of music content, including of films, through various physical media and digital platforms; advising on engagement of international music artists for their live performances and other professional engagements in India.
  • Internet and digital media: Advising and negotiating for the production of original content commissioned in India by global video service platforms, licensing and distribution of content through digital platforms.
  • Publishing: Advising and negotiating on behalf of authors for book publishing.
  • IP Rights management for monetization of IP.
  • Due diligence: Advising on script and content clearances including conducting due diligences for ascertaining IP ownerships and issues.
  • Mergers and Acquisitions: Advising advertising companies on the sale of their businesses to a global multinational. We have advised the acquirer on recent acquisitions of well-known advertising agencies and public relations companies.