Information
The media landscape is constantly evolving and so are our clients businesses in the Media, Creative & Digital sectors. This evolution is something that we are passionate about. It gives us the chance to use our creativity and industry experience, to devise solutions; whether these relate to funding models, collaborations, technologies, services or products.
We work with traditional film, media and broadcasting clients as well as those adopting more disruptive content production and distribution models, such as Youtube channels and “on demand” content platforms. We think creatively about funding and sponsorship for clients in this sector, as we know how crucial it is to get the right advice at the right time, to enable opportunities to happen fast.
We have a long history of advising Digital & Creative Agencies on all aspects of their businesses, including preparing for sale or acquisition, through to the day to day running of digital projects, contracts with clients, use of freelancers and all important data. We are so supportive of this sector that we have created the S&C Collective just for them.
Through this work and our experience in this area, we also advise many clients and investors on Digital platforms and mobile app developments. This has included award winning location based apps and app trails, through to sporting and dating apps and platforms.
We also advise gaming clients on all aspects of game development, publication and distribution. Our experience of advising on digital collaborations, coupled with our experience of IP means we have been instrumental in giving leading architecture practices strategic advice on the implementation of various stages of BIM.
Our lawyers are recognised as some of the best in the industry for Media, Creative & Digital and have won numerous awards. Our work in this area, coupled with our creative minds, means we understand the issues for businesses in this sector, and know how to resolve them.
We are a long-standing preferred supplier of Bristol Media, and support other trade associations and organisations focused on the Media, Creative & Digital sectors.
Creative & Digital Agencies increasingly provide a wide spectrum of constantly evolving digital, print and creative services. The value clients place on these services means they require more detailed contracts to ensure they’re delivered on budget, on time – and with minimal risk.
We work with multiple agency clients across the sector to advise on everything from one-off Master Service Contracts, through to drafting and advising on template contracts to use with clients, suppliers, freelancers and employees. This includes advice on processes and best practice around quotes, pitches, data, project management, risk, insurance and IPR.
We are also frequently instructed to advise investors and businesses on service agreements with Creative & Digital Agencies to procure branding, website, platform and app development.
When projects and client relationships don’t go to plan, we are experienced in providing proactive and reactive support in dispute resolution.
We are a long-standing preferred supplier of Bristol Media, and support other trade associations and organisations focused on the Creative & Digital Agency sector.
Highlights
- Acting on behalf of Hiscox Insurance to resolve a dispute on behalf of a digital agency and a client in relation to a football App development
- Advising True Digital on its client and freelancer contracts
- Working with Rebel and Slaughter on its business contracts and supporting contract negotiations with client on large brand and online development project
- Advising e3 on a range of new contracts for use across its business
- Advising Calvium on its App development contract for the Tower of London and Historic Royal Palaces
- Advising Studio Six on its collaborations with freelancers and suppliers, and white label opportunities for digital platforms
- Working with award winning open source developers, Gravitywell on its customer terms and conditions and various large scale projects
Key Contracts / Services
- Master Services Agreements
- Freelancer Agreements
- Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Creative and Digital Services
- Statements of Work
- Advice on Agile and Waterfall developments
- Subcontractor Agreements
- Data and Privacy
- Licensing of Content and Databases
- Software Licensing
- Use of OSS
- Brand Licensing
Content now comes from so many sources, in so many forms, and can be re-used in multiple formats across multiple platforms. We’re constantly evolving the way we add value, finding the best way to maximise revenue, maintain and develop licensing streams, and minimise risk.
From our work with leading broadcasters, animation and production companies, and digital, gaming and online platforms, we cover all sources of content. Whatever the source, we use our extensive experience to ensure we protect the content’s IPR, help build and create assets, evaluate commercial opportunities, and add value to transactions, from commissioning and licensing, to making content available.
We advise on everything from TV and animation productions for major broadcasters, films created with public funding, gaming and user-related content, through to related content for games channels and digital platforms.
We act for creatives, writers, broadcasters, games and digital platforms, and production companies.
Highlights
- Advising Calling the Shots on its £1 million funding agreement with the Arts Council
- Negotiating option and roll back agreements in respect of children’s formats with AOL
- Drafting standard terms for appointment of talent to Yogscast and development of “Yogs” channels
- Drafting talent contract with Michael Rosen for a children’s animation series
- Licensing in events related content for a digital events platform
- Advising and negotiating commissioning contracts between the CBBC and A Productions in relation to a series of different bitesize education productions for the online service
- Delivering production packs for the production of a series of short films commissioned by Channel 4
- Advising on commissioning and option agreements for Nickelodeon
- Providing advice and negotiating commissioning, co-production and sponsorship agreements for the UKTV and Virgin channels
- Negotiating a licence in of content with leading broadcasters and production companies and drafting distribution and supply terms for bespoke clips DVD business
Key Contracts / Services
- Ad Funded and Branded programming
- Sponsorship Agreements
- Social Media Channel Agreements
- Talent Contracts
- Presenter Agreements
- Commissioning, Co-production and Publishing Agreements
- Rights and Content Acquisition, Production and Licensing and Monetisation
- Funding Agreements
- Option and Roll Back Agreements
- Content and Brand License Agreements
- App Development and Creation
- Computer Games Development and Creation
- Data and Privacy
- Regulatory Issues
From online brands to e-commerce platforms selling goods or services, diverse digital platforms require fast and relevant legal advice. We advise clients who operate dating websites, social media channels, data dashboards (PAAS), podcast services and media companies and rights owners seeking to exploit content online. We like to get involved early in the development stage to help guide clients in relation to industry specific and relevant legal and regulatory issues. This often means we are as keen as you to see the early design phases of the platform. As the platform develops we help to create bespoke terms and conditions for the operation of the site and privacy and cookie policies. We don’t just hand these out – we ensure these terms are designed specifically for the site and the data being captured. Alongside this, clients in this sector need relevant contracts to help them to appoint developers, hosting and back-up services and secure or licence rights.
Highlights
- Advising ASK.FM on risk, terms and conditions and operation of ASK.FM platform
- Advising dating website, Present Partners on its membership terms and conditions, privacy and data protection issues
- Drafting membership terms and conditions for audioboom.com and advice on operation of the site and access to content
- Working with an events platform site to provide all aspects of legal services from inception to sale, including content licensing, terms and conditions, hosting and data agreements
- Drafting terms and conditions and providing advice on privacy and use of cookies in relation to the Vernon Francois website prior to and supporting launch
- Advising award-winning Sinclair Designs on various product launches and regulatory implications of selling knives online
- Advising on the sale and negotiating the sale agreement for a telco billing solution
- Negotiating licensing agreements for entire catalogues of content for one of the first online film and music on demand services with Warner Music, Vidzone and Sony BMG
- Advising on the development and licensing model for data analysis dashboard, SecondSync and advice on all legal aspects of its business from creation to sale including first-round funding and advice on subsequent sale to Twitter
- Advising on the agile development for a billing platform
As the traditional gaming and digital content worlds collided, we were well placed to advise on new arrivals to the sector.
From App developers to advising on licensing the rights to online games for use on digital platforms, we can apply our IP, Technology, Gaming and Content Production experience to the challenges the industry faces. This often involves advice on regulatory matters, licensing of brands and working with celebrity bloggers and contributors. Through our work with Creative & Digital Agencies we are able to advise on the implications of publishing gaming apps on various App Stores.
Highlights
- Advising Yogscast, one of the most popular gaming channels on YouTube, on its contract with Maker Studios
- Advising on App games development projects for an award winning App developer, including advice on developer contracts and IP and underlying IP in the game
- Advising on game licensing for a digital games channel
- Providing legal advice for poker channel including licensing, programme commissioning, talent and supply contracts together with regulation advice
Key Contracts / Services
- Games Development Agreements
- Freelance Developer Agreements
- Ad-Funded and Branded Programming
- Sponsorship Agreements
- Social Media Channel Agreements
- Talent Contracts
- Presenter Agreements
- Commissioning, Co-production and Publishing Agreements
- Rights and Content Acquisition, Production and Licensing and Monetisation
- Funding Agreements
- Content and Brand Licence Agreements
- App Development and Creation
- Data and Privacy
- Regulatory Issues
BIM is the first truly global digital construction technology. Soon, this game-changing technology will be deployed in every country in the world. It’s heavily supported by the UK government, and through our work with architecture and professional service practices we can support these clients on the risks, IP implications and operational challenges of using BIM.
Highlights
Advising Calling the Shots on its £1 million funding agreement with the Arts Council and commission by Channel 4
Drafting standard terms for appointment of talent to Yogscast and development of “Yogs” channels
Advising e3 on a range of new contracts across its business
Advising Calvium on its App development contract for the Tower of London and Historic Royal Palaces
Advising Six on its collaborations with freelancers and suppliers, and white label opportunities for digital platforms
Advising on the development and licensing model for data analysis dashboard, SecondSync and advice on all legal aspects of its business from creation to sale including first round funding and advice on subsequent sale to Twitter
Advising True Digital on its client and freelancer contracts
Key contracts / services
Master Digital Services Agreements
Freelancer Agreements
Terms and Conditions for the Supply of Creative and Digital Services
Agile and Waterfall Development Agreements
Subscription Agreements
Talent and Presenter Agreements
Commission, Co-production and Publishing Agreements
Rights and Content Acquisition, Production, Licensing and Monetisation Agreements
Ad Funded and Branding Agreements
Option Agreements
Regulatory Issues