Creation, exploitation and protection of rights
Media and entertainment businesses are of huge importance to the economy. Management of the assets and rights upon which these business base their activities is of fundamental importance, whether these assets come in the form of audio-visual content, traditional written works, talent arrangements, or otherwise, and whether rights come in the form of broadcasting arrangements, recording and publishing agreements, sponsorship, endorsement and association rights, or otherwise.
Our experience in the sports sector is unrivalled in Scotland and we have dealt with the majority of the main sports broadcasting agreements relating to the jurisdiction. We also dealt with all of the main sponsor arrangements for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. In addition, we provide online monitoring and takedown services for many clients to assist in their brand management activities.
We are one of the few practices in Scotland that has in depth experience in the music sector, with members of our team having worked in house for major record labels, in artist management, and for music broadcasters such as MTV. We advise on a multitude of matters, including artist management agreements, recording and publishing contracts, and merchandising and endorsement arrangements.
Our team also has experience in the publishing sectors, in relation to the fiction, factual and academic publishing. We have a strong relationship with Publishing Scotland, and often assist their members.
Our team's experience spans the worlds of music, sport, publishing and more, with in depth knowledge of issues from broadcasting to sponsorship and the protection of all manner of rights.
Contact us
Thank you for your enquiry. Someone from our team will be in touch with you in due course.
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Tom Thomas
Partner
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Jamie Watt
Partner
Key services
- Broadcasting
- Brand management
- Defamation and libel
- Film and TV production arrangements
- Image rights
- Merchandising
- Recording and publishing arrangements
- Sponsorship
Related Business services
Work examples
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
We were the legal advisors to the XX Commonwealth Games. Around 1.5 billion people tuned in to watch the Games. We advised the organising committee on all of its key arrangements, including the host broadcaster agreement, regional rights holder agreements and its key sponsorship agreements. We also provided the external brand management function for the Games, addressing a multitude of online and offline infringements in the run up to, and during, the Games, both in the UK and further afield.
Music festivals and events
We advise some of the UK’s main service providers to music festivals, such as Glastonbury, T in the Park and Bestival, and have advised on large scale music events and the opening and closing ceremonies of the XX Commonwealth Games.
Professional football
We assist professional football clubs in counteracting brand misuse and counterfeiting by monitoring, via a team of football-savvy trained lawyers, multiple online platforms, then seeking takedown of infringing pages, sites and products. Operating on a fixed fee basis, our services help the club avoid the diversion of significant consumer trade.
Publishing Scotland
We work with Publishing Scotland, to support them in their activities in Scottish publishing industry
Film & TV production
Advising on various co-financing, programme purchase, production and release documentation, including production and consent matters relating to Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
Planning and executing an event such as the Commonwealth Games was complicated and challenging, with an immoveable deadline fast approaching. We needed solutions, and often we needed them fast. No matter what was thrown at them, Harper Macleod provided excellence of service and clear, commercial advice at every stage.
Thanks to partners such as Harper Macleod we were able to deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games and that achievement and experience is something that I know the firm will carry into everything it does in the future.
Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg
External recognition
Members of our team are ranked by both Legal 500 and Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession 2015, with Jamie Watt recognised as a Leader in the Field and Tom Thomas a recommended lawyer.
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