Copyright
At Birketts we understand the critical role played by copyright law in the protection and exploitation of works generated by our clients in the creative and technology industries. We also recognise our clients’ need for commercially minded advice on contentious matters which arise.
We understand how copyright law has rapidly evolved in recent years to address the challenges and opportunities of the digital world and the online environment. We act both for clients operating traditional business models and those seeking to make use of the opportunities created by a disrupted media landscape.
Highlights
- Licensing copyright between two parties in respect of development and licensing of a music hire system.
- Negotiating software agreements to include issues relating to copyright.
- Advising client on copyright issues regarding an artist commission agreement for creation of a sculpture for public display.
- Handling of cease & desist correspondence and settlement negotiations for copyright infringement claims across a wide range of industry sectors.
- Acting for clients in Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (SCT and multi-track) for copyright infringement claims involving unauthorized use of clients’ copyright works.
- Working with our Brands Team on copyright law issues which support brand protection and anti-counterfeiting strategies.
Expertise
- We support our clients with all aspects of commercialisation of their copyright works. We advise clients both on copyright rights’ acquisition deals and copyright licensing agreements.
- Our expertise spans multiple industry sectors with particular experience in the publishing, visual content, news, arts and technology sectors.
- We act for rights’ owners and those using third party copyright works on contentious issues which arise both under traditional models and disruptive digital business models.
- Where necessary we act for clients in copyright disputes, for example in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC).
- We have experience of making notice and takedown requests to social media and e-commerce platforms and understand the intermediary copyright liability regime which applies to these operators.
- We closely monitor new legislation in the UK copyright law field and advise our clients on its potential impact on their businesses.
- We work with our Corporate and Insolvency teams on copyright law issues arising in the context of corporate transactional and insolvency activities, e.g. due diligence work on copyright assets and copyright assignment agreements.
Industry expertise
- Our team possesses invaluable industry insight and expertise with experience of working in-house for world-leading media companies in the publishing, broadcasting, telecommunications and technology sectors.
Newsletters
We produce a variety of newsletters covering changes in legislation, topical news and issues affecting our clients. You can download the latest issue of Upload, our newsletter for professionals with an interest in technology, from our newsletter page. If you would like to automatically receive future issues please register your details.
Accreditations
