The music industry is currently 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. As specialists in guiding organisations being changed by technology and the digital world, 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 across key music jurisdictions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, with particular strength in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Denmark and Australia. Our expertise in the music industry means we can provide practical advice and solutions, wherever you're located, to help you drive your projects forward whether you are entering new markets or doing something innovative.

We act for:

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

We love music. Among our 29 international offices and 1,300 lawyers, we have a number of experts who would love to talk to you about music, whether it’s copyright, financing, sponsorship, corporate, tax, or simply about your favourite artist!

If you'd like to know more about how we can help you, please get in touch.

Contacts

Phil Sherrell

Partner  |  UK

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.

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 Europe 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 Europe 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."

    Chambers Europe 2017

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

    Chambers Europe 2017

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

    Chambers Europe 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

News & Events

  1. 0412-2020

    AI did it My Way

    The influence of artificial intelligence (“AI”) in the music industry is nothing new and its transformative impact is showing no signs of slowing up. In this article, Katie Rimmer dissects the various AI applications ...

  2. 2610-2020

    Riot Games and Spotify team up

    In a first-of-its-kind sponsorship agreement, Spotify has become the official and exclusive audio streaming partner for Riot Games’ ‘League of Legends’ esports events. A key development for Riot Games; the League’s huge ...

  3. 1610-2020

    DCMS Committee inquiry: economics of music streaming

    The UK’s Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Committee announced (15 October 2020) that it is launching an inquiry into the economics of music streaming, a move which has been welcomed by the music industry.