CMS fields a large and diverse media team, which comprehensively supports major projects in the film, sports and broadcasting industries and also advises platforms and gaming companies on digital matters. Among the mainstays are film funding, digital media regulation and copyright dispute resolution, whereas current topics include the advice on NFTs and AI models. Three partners took over the management of the practice in 2023: IP expert Winfried Bullinger focuses on digital content, Pietro Graf Fringuelli regularly supports the launch of new digital streaming, NFT and e-commerce platforms and Martin Gerecke is well versed in licensing and contract issues pertaining to social media and gaming. Former practice head Sebastian Cording continues to be a key contact for sports and gaming law, while counsel Patrick Ehinger routinely handles film funding and marketing issues. Cross-border matters are also covered thanks to the cooperation with other locations.

DLA Piper is well versed in the advice to major TV and online broadcasters on copyright and contract law issues and complements this with experience in the gaming and gambling industries. Practice head Stefan Engels routinely supports large broadcasters as well as publishing and media companies in advertising and e-commerce issues as well as copyright proceedings; media regulation expert Michael Stulz-Herrnstadt is regularly instructed by gambling providers and media marketing companies on compliance issues. Kai Tumbrägel (IP, project-related advice in the games and sports areas) moved to GÖRG Partnerschaft von Rechtsanwälten mbB in October 2024.

Greenberg Traurig Germany  acts integrated into the global network and comprehensively advises on all aspects of film and television productions, where the team is renowned for its expertise in financing, production and distribution issues pertaining to the film sector. In addition to established German and international production studios, the team increasingly supports streaming platforms and also advises on regulatory issues in the context of on-demand content at the interface between media, communications and antitrust law. Practice head Stefan Lütje is well versed in transactions and contracts in the media sector as well as film funding, including the advice to funding bodies and financial institutions. Viola Bensinger and Laura Zentner are experienced in technology and IP and are regularly instructed by digital media companies.

Lausen Rechtsanwälte fields a diverse team and regularly advises on issues at the interface between media law, data protection, IP, competition and corporate law. The practice is well versed in copyright and contract dispute resolution and frequently acts in related model procedings. In addition to project-related contract and advertising topics in the film, television and music industries, the team also focuses on matters pertaining to new technologies such as AI and NFTs; practice head and copyright expert Matthias Lausen is a key contact here. Kerstin Bäcker, whose expertise encompasses music and IT law, and the licensing law expert Ursula Feinor-Schmidt increasingly advise on the development of digital platforms. Associate  Marco Jung primarily focuses on the theater sector.

McDermott Will & Emery Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater LLP offers regulatory and project-related advice to financial institutions, media and broadcasting operators, collecting societies and production companies on cooperation agreements, youth protection, advertising and data protection. A core focus is dispute resolution, where the team recently acted in model proceedings in connection with advertising and licensing disputes. Renowned litigator Wolfgang von Frentz regularly taked the lead here; he is the sole practice head since former co-head and licensing lawyer Ralf Weisser became self-employed in January 2023. Christian Masch is another experienced litigator and also advises on compliance issues pertaining to copyright and data protection law.

Straßer Ventroni Freytag Rechtsanwälte advises large companies in the sports, film and television sectors on music law, while the expertise in both the music and media segment encompasses the advice to production companies and publishers on contracts and licensing agreements as well as digital marketing issues pertaining to the development of new content and new platforms. A trio heads the team: Robert Straßer focuses on copyright and data protection law, while Stefan Ventroni is well versed in licensing and cooperation agreement, and Stefan Freytag advises on digital content matters. All three are also active in copyright and licensing disputes. Bassam Saleh primarily advises on e-commerce and advertising issues.

Brehm & v. Moers advises clients in the film and television sector on transaction-related topics, compliance as well as content issues. Another mainstay is the advice to companies in the gaming sector as well as companies on blockchain and AI technologies. Founding partner Stefan von Moers is well versed at the interface between media and corporate law, while Guido Hettinger focuses on copyright and data protection; Kai Bodensiek handles matters in the growth area gaming as well as e-sports.

Hengeler Mueller is experienced at the interface between media law, copyright, data protection and corporate law. The team advises clients such as Google and Vodafone on European media guidelines and product launches; this also includes related regulatory issues and the representation in copyright and licensing disputes with collecting societies. Albrecht Conrad acts from London and is well versed in transactions and contracts; he also regularly acts in copyright proceedings and jointly heads the practice with Wolfgang Spoerr, who advises on media law compliance. The two counsel Matthias Berberich and Tobias Schubert are specialise in copyright advice.

K&L Gates LLP's TMT practice focuses on copyright and licensing matters and advises platforms, broadcasting companies as well as collecting societies in the music, film and television industries. A key strength is the copyright advice in connection with large digital projects and contract negotiations, whereas the team also acts in large disputes and landmark proceedings. The art segment is another core focus, where Friederike Gräfin von Brühl is regularly in the lead; in early 2023, she replaced former practice head Martin von Albrecht (licensing of music rights), who became self-employed. Von Brühl is also active in dispute proceedings and supports blockchain and NFT-related projects. Counsel Olaf Fiss is a key contact for contract negotiations.

FREY Rechtsanwälte focuses on project support in the media and sports law segment. Among the client roster are professional sports organisers, including e-sports, as well as television and broadcasting companies from within and outside the sports sector. Dieter Frey is experienced in sports law; he jointly heads the team with copyright expert Matthias Rudolph. Other key topics include content design and related contract drafting as well as clients' representation in licensing and copyright proceedings.

Klinkert Rechtsanwälte PartGmbB offers expertise at the interface between sports and media law and advises professional sports associations, broadcasting companies and streaming platforms on broadcasting rights. Other clients from the music, gaming and art industries are also supported in event management, transactions as well as IP strategies; here, Piet Bubenzer is increasingly instructed by new clients. He jointly heads the practice with sports lawyer Annett Rombach. Both also regularly lead in court and arbitration proceedings. At counsel level, David Jahn is an expert for IT and data protection issues, while Christian Frodl advises on broadcasting rights in the sports sector.

NORDEMANN is instructed by large companies from the sports, gaming, music, art and film sectors on strategic copyright matters as well as related diputes. The team regularly advises on anti-piracy measures and offers IP support for events and product launches. This is complemented by experience in representing studios and collecting societies in copyright litigation; these competencies correspond with the focus of renowned practice head Jan Bernd Nordemann, while Christian Czychowski is experienced in digital copyright issues. Julian Waiblinger handles copyright contract law matters and Thomas Boddien as well as Stanislaus Jaworski frequently advise on copyright law in the gaming sector.

Sports law boutique Lentze Stopper advises clubs, sports parks, leagues and associations on media law, licensing and sponsorship agreements, marketing strategies and association rights and also covers related disputes. Founding partners Gregor Lentze, who is well versed in contract drafting for major events, and Martin Stopper, who focuses on sports ethics issues and covers the antitrust law intersection, jointly lead the practice. Felix Holzhäuser is frequently instructed on ticketing issues, while Tim Bagger von Grafenstein is experienced in IT and assists with e-commerce issues as well as NFT-related project work; Grafenstein made partner in January 2023.

Pinsent Masons Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB focuses on digital and copyright matters, where the team advises large internet companies on the regulatory requirements under the Digital Services Act. Another core competency is the representation of media providers and product manufacturers in various copyright and trademark proceedings. The team also supports projects in connection with the launch of new NFT and AI products. Nils Rauer is experienced in digital marketing and advertising law and jointly heads the practice with the IT lawyer Stephan Appt.

Vy - BRIX LANGE VERWEYEN Rechtsanwälte emerged from the dissolution of KVLEGAL in December 2021 and, led by founding partner Urs Verweyen, handles copyright issues with a particular focus on device and storage media levies. The team also represents cloud service providers in landmark copyright proceedings and advises various influencers on competition and copyright issues pertaining to trademark protection. Since the merger with BrixLange, Malte Brix and Björn-Michael Lange joined the team in July 2023, which strengthened the capacities in media law at the interfaces with public and antitrust law.