Change in the media and entertainment industry continues apace. The digitization of content, combined with the increasing adoption of broadband distribution technologies and globalization of the industry, is creating major opportunities, challenges and threats for industry executives and organizational structures. In the face of this technology-driven change, the "traditional" entertainment industry continues to depend on great talent and first-rate content.
Our lawyers work with media and entertainment businesses on a daily basis, from global entertainment corporations to local independents and individuals. Our clients span the arts, film, betting and gaming, digital distribution, music, broadcasting, theater, publishing, sports and sports entertainment. We advise on the creation, exploitation and protection of content, including worldwide issues created by emerging technologies saddled with local laws, regulations and practices. We provide technical and practical advice to assist in the planning and implementation of commercial opportunities across different media, as well as advice in regards to content development. We appear in courts and before arbitrators on behalf of entertainment and media clients in highly publicized battles to resolve disputes arising from differing interpretations of contracts, and to protect clients' intellectual property rights.
We're regularly called upon to apply our knowledge of traditional media content industries in innovative ways to emerging content types and broadcast platforms including ISPs, telcos, aggregators and electronic retailers. In response to the new challenges and potential issues posed by the increasing prevalence of the Internet, our Internet enforcement team can help develop policies and solutions to protect products and content against cyber-squatting, counterfeiting, bootlegging and other forms of copyright infringement.
Our media and entertainment group works closely with other lawyers in the firm's communications, anti-trust and trade regulation, intellectual property, litigation, labor and employment, investment management, tax and corporate groups to deal with the wide range of issues faced by entertainment and media businesses and individuals. Recent matters on which we have worked include advising an information aggregator and downloader on clearance provisions for its audio-visual content worldwide; the impact of EU directives in the areas of database management, e-commerce, copyright and Television Without Frontiers; advising on cross border (US and Europe) issues arising from the varying collective licensing regimes; and advising on pan-European issues involving competition, intellectual property and commercial issues.
In the face of the rapid convergence of traditional entertainment with new technologies, we continue to fight to protect the rights and interests of individuals such as actors, songwriters, music producers and recording artists through effective contract negotiation and drafting, advice on copyright and licensing, and dispute resolution.
Among our media and entertainment lawyers are a former sound engineer for several major rock groups, a one-time record producer, a former recording artist, and the past vice president of a Washington DC-based television network. We believe that our passion for the entertainment industry, coupled with a total commitment to building personal relationships with our clients, sets our media and entertainment group apart from those of other broadly based international law firms.