Music

Overview

In 2018, the music industry is at a crucial stage in its development, with increasingly innovative approaches to how music is created, developed, distributed and accounted for. With such rapid development comes a number of challenges. Specialists in guiding clients through disruption, we can help you anticipate and harness the challenges of an industry in which the playlist keeps changing and the line between entertainment and technology continues to blur - whether it be addressing the value gap, implementing blockchain or navigating changes to copyright law. 

Our international music group works seamlessly across our 28 offices spanning numerous key music jurisdictions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We're proud of the fact that we really are one firm – a single partnership, globally – providing our services directly from the most appropriate jurisdictions. Our music group are particularly strong in UK, Germany and Sweden. This expertise means that we really understand what our music clients want when they are entering new markets or doing something innovative, and we know how to provide practical advice and solutions to help drive those projects forward.

Who we act for:

  • Those who use music in their services
  • Artists, songwriters and music producers
  • Record labels, music publishers and other rights owners
  • Live-entertainment and event companies
  • Corporate players
  • Collecting societies

We hope we’ve made it clear how much we love music. Among the firm’s 28 international offices and 1,200 lawyers, we have a number of experts that would love to talk to you about music, too. Whether it’s copyright, financing, sponsorship, corporate, tax, or you just want to talk about your favourite artist, please do stop by or give us a call.

Contacts

Image of Jerker Edstrom

Jerker Edström

Partner
Sweden

Call me on: +46 (0)8 506 320 00
vCard Location
Sherrell-Phil

Phil Sherrell

Partner
UK

Call me on: +44 (0)20 7415 6000
vCard Location

View further contacts

Recent highlights of work

  • We assist MXM Music, operated by multiple Grammy-award winning producer/songwriter Martin Sandberg (professionally known as “Max Martin”), on all producer agreements entered into between these producers and the artists and their record labels.
  • We act for the collecting society, PRS, and ICE (which licenses the repertoires of PRS, GEMA in Germany and STIM in Sweden for multi-territorial online platforms) in relation to a significant licensing and copyright infringement dispute with Spotify, in relation to the licensing of the repertoire ICE represents to Spotify internationally. This has included substantial advice in relation to copyright, licensing and Copyright Tribunal proceedings.
  • We act for the music collecting society PRS in relation to a significant licensing and copyright infringement dispute with YouTube, in relation to the licensing of PRS’s repertoire to YouTube internationally. This has included substantial advice in relation to Copyright Tribunal and High Court proceedings, relating to copyright, licensing and safe harbour provisions.
  • We advised PRS for Music, STIM and GEMA on the joint venture collaboration for the establishment and launch of the world’s first fully integrated multi-territory music licensing and processing hub, creating a one-stop licensing service across Europe covering over 250,000 songwriters.
  • Advising Tune-In on whether certain aspects of its service infringes the copyright of various record companies represented by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Considering scope of infringement regarding "making works available to the public" in light of recent CJEU decisions, including GS Media, Filmspeler and Ziggo (the Pirate Bay case) and the effect of those decisions on the activities of Tune-In. In particular: whether providing hyperlinks to radio stations amounts to making particular works available, considering issues regarding the balancing of fundamental rights of ownership in intellectual property and freedom of information of consumers.
  • We advise Live Nation Nordic AB (the North European arm of the world leading live concert and touring promoter) on all legal matters. During the past year we have advised on Live Nation in the acquisition of two major music festivals in the Nordics.
  • We advise TEN Music Group, an independent ”360-degree company” which includes recording, publishing, songwriting, artist development and production arms. TEN’s signings include artists Zara Larsson, Icona Pop, Elliphant, and many others. We advise them on a broad range of legal matters including their talent signings, negotiation of producer agreements as well as advising on various brand and endorsement deals.
  • We represent Steve Angello on all commercial matters including the release of his recent album Wild Youth through his own record label, Size Records, where our team advised and negotiated several producer and side artist agreements. In addition to advising on Steve's artistic career, we assist his record label Size Records on all commercial matters including the signing of new talent and distribution and licensing of its catalogue. These agreements all entail IP-licensing.

Accolades

  • As head of the firm's media and entertainment department, Jerker Edström principally focuses on copyright law, licensing agreements and right-clearances. Clients describe him as "very attentive and knowledgeable"

    Chambers 2018

  • Staffan Boström is widely regarded as the number one music lawyer in Sweden. Clients appreciate that he knows the industry inside out and highlight his negotiation skills as a key asset. He is particularly popular with music companies for advice on co-operation agreements, IP rights and music rights.

    Chambers 2018

  • Staffan Boström is a highly acclaimed practitioner in the media sector who typically acts for clients in the music and entertainment industries. Clients say: "He has the capacity to think and work outside the box."

    Sweden, Chambers 2017

  • "They are fully dedicated to the client," an interviewee says, with another adding: "The team is always helpful."

    Germany, Chambers 2017

  • "The firm has lawyers that really know the sector well and understand the market trends. You get a well-crafted way forward"

    Europe-wide, Chambers 2017

  • "Bird & Bird is praised for its ‘pragmatic and commercial approach, combined with fantastic industry knowledge’."

    Firm, Legal 500 2017

  • "International media group head Phil Sherrell is ‘an absolute delight to deal with’ and handles litigation in the music, broadcasting, advertising and media sectors."

    UK, Legal 500, 2016

  • The "very approachable" Phil Sherrell impresses with his multifaceted and international digital media practice, and acts for publishers and music industry players. He handles contentious and non-contentious media matters, demonstrating particular proficiency in copyright matters. Clients say: "More than simply advocating a legal position, he works with you to think through business issues."

    Chambers UK 2016