Insights & News

Government’s “porn block” roll out delayed

01 April 2019

Two weeks ago we commented on the anticipated introduction of age verification controls on porn sites which were due to come into force today. It is now understood that the implementation of these controls has been delayed, with some media outlets reporting that an official announcement is expected this week.

Social media platforms under increasing pressure to protect users from harm

21 March 2019

For many of us, using social media has become an integral part of life. However we are increasingly aware of the impact of social media on mental health and the harm that can be caused from exposure to certain content which is easily accessible online, as well as the harm that can be caused from misuse of personal data and data breaches. Access to content promoting terrorism and the increasing prevalence of ‘fake news’ and hate speech have all made headlines recently.

Nigel Dewar Gibb to speak at TGE Elevate event: TGE launches new programme to help next generation of music industry leaders

Press

21 March 2019

Nigel Dewar Gibb will be speaking at the upcoming TGE Conference , which this year takes place at its new home at Jury’s Inn Waterfront from 8-11 May 2019 in Brighton, England.

Media & Entertainment Legal Digest: January - February 2019

01 March 2019

Welcome to the latest issue of our ‘Media & Entertainment Legal Digest’. We have selected the legal and regulatory developments from the past two months or so that we think are most likely to be of interest, with a link to the official source or full text of the item.

Lewis Silkin French Desk advises its longstanding client Publicis Groupe, on the sale of Publicis Health Solutions to Altamont Capital Partners

Deal

12 February 2019

Lewis Silkin has advised its longstanding client Publicis Groupe, on the sale of Publicis Health Solutions to Altamont Capital Partners.

Lewis Silkin French Desk advises its longstanding client Publicis Groupe on the acquisition of the remaining 24.9% stake in Blue 449 from M&C Saatchi Plc

Deal

04 February 2019

Lewis Silkin has advised its longstanding client Publicis Groupe on the acquisition of the remaining 24.9% stake in Blue 449 from M&C Saatchi Plc.

Geraint Lloyd-Taylor comments for BBC News, The Times and The Financial Times: Social media stars agree to declare when they post ads

Press

23 January 2019

Geraint Lloyd-Taylor has commented in articles for BBC News, The Times and The Financial Times which discuss the recent agreement from sixteen social media stars to clearly state if they have been paid or received any gifts or loans of products they endorse online.

Tech Predictions for 2019

11 January 2019

Following on from our 2018 Tech Predictions, here are our top ten favourite tech predictions for 2019. Just imagine a world where new technology not only makes us more efficient but improves our lives in other ways - let’s see what 2019 might hold in store!

Let Lachaux begin - Landmark defamation case in the Supreme Court

14 November 2018

Today the Supreme Court is hearing the second and final day of the appeal in the case of Lachaux v Independent Print and another against the Court of Appeal decision. Centre stage will be section 1(1) of the Defamation Act 2013, which, although has been discussed at length in this case so far, still requires clarification.

Cliff Fluet to lead International Radio Festival's Audio Conference

Press

03 October 2018

The use of Blockchain technology in the audio world will be explored by Cliff Fluet at the International Radio Festival’s Audio Conference in Malta on 1st November.

Jeremy Summers writes for C21 Media: 2018 Global Distribution Trends Report - New Era

Press

26 September 2018

Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg has raised more than $1bn to fund mobile-first distribution start-up NewTV. In an article for C21 Media, Jeremy Summers assesses what this means for the industry?

Nicholas Buckland comments for Music Week: Euro Parliament rejects copyright reform, full debate set for September

Press

10 July 2018

In an article for Music Week, Nicholas Buckland comments on the European Parliament voting against beginning negotiations on the Copyright Directive including Article 13.

Lewis Silkin advises Haymarket on its sale of the world’s best-selling gadget magazine – Stuff – to Kelsey Media

Deal

06 June 2018

Lewis Silkin has advised its long-standing client, Haymarket Media Group, on the sale of Stuff to Kelsey Media. Stuff encompasses the world’s best-selling gadget magazine and Stuff.TV. The deal is due to close in mid-June following consultation with affected employees. It follows the sale by Haymarket, advised by Lewis Silkin, of four specialist consumer brands to Future plc, which closed last month.

Nigel Dewar Gibb speaks with Rahul Rumalla in a Dog 'N' Bone podcast

Press

18 April 2018

In the episode, Nigel and Rahul Rumalla, Founder + Chief Technology Officer of Paperchain, talk about the so called ‘Black Box’ royalties that remain unclaimed by artists, auditing performing rights organisations, the potential for Blockchain in the music industry and much more.

Jeremy Summers comments for iNews: Radiohead v Del Rey: how record companies use waveform analysis, forensics and… Shazam to avoid being sued

Press

12 January 2018

Jeremy Summers comments in an article for iNews, discussing how to identify copyright infringement in the music industry.

Competition watchdog’s open letter to the creative industries

12 September 2017

The UK’s Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has published an open letter to the creative industries on competition law. The letter reminds businesses that certain conduct that undermines competition in those industries is illegal.

Cliff Fluet speaking at VUT events in Germany

25 August 2017

Cliff Fluet will be speaking at two events on The Role of AI and VR in Today's Music Industry and The Controversy Between Copyright Owners and Users, for the German Association of Independant Music Companies. Both events will be taking place on Friday 22 September 2017.

Cliff Fluet quoted in The Guardian: 'AI and music - will we be slaves to the algorithm?'

Press

08 August 2017

Cliff Fluet has commented in an article for The Guardian which discusses the role of AI in creating music and whether machines will soon be composing symphonies, hit singles and bespoke soundtracks.

CDM 2015: Who is the Principal Designer?

01 August 2017

By now, everyone is familiar with The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (“Regulations”). However, there still seems to be confusion as to who should fulfil the role of the Principal Designer (“PD”).

Company’s register of people with significant control (PSCs)

Inbrief

12 July 2017

Most UK companies and LLPs are required to find out and record details of the individuals or legal entities that have significant beneficial ownership or control over them. The information must be recorded in the company’s register of people with significant control (PSC register) as part of its statutory books.