Overview

Our experienced team of specialist media and entertainment litigators are highly active in defending the interests of major film studios, independent production companies, program providers, television and radio broadcasters, publishers, performers, artists, internet content providers, cable franchisees, newspapers, institutions that finance and invest in media activities and all other types of entities involved in media activities.

We represent clients in disputes concerning ownership, royalties, cybersquatting, piracy, television format rights, content licensing and rights disputes, breaches of privacy, character licensing, profit participation, and defamation. We also represent clients concerning such matters as accounting disputes and related areas such as competition law and other regulatory issues specific to the industry.

Our team deeply understands the entertainment business and the day-to-day commercial and legal pressures in the media industry. The team seeks to add value at all times, providing risk assessment and pre-litigation strategic advice with a view to helping clients avoid litigation. However, when litigation is unavoidable we are equipped to provide effective and experienced representation.

Experience

The firm’s dedicated media group provides a full range of specialised services based on a comprehensive understanding of the industry.  Our clients include major film studios, independent production companies, television and radio broadcasters, cable franchisees, internet content providers, program providers, performers, newspapers and the institutions that finance and invest in media activities.

We advise on the full scope of media law related issues, from regulatory and commercial to M&A, using specialists from our different practice groups including IP, commercial, tax, corporate, finance and dispute resolution. Our extensive experience in the field includes:

  • Representing clients before the Cable and Satellite TV Channel Council and negotiating permits and licenses with the Ministry of Communications in connection with the establishing of new cable, television, radio or satellite channels
  • Exploiting and protecting foreign TV format rights
  • Co-development and production agreements
  • Advising on the financing of broadcasters and satellite operators
  • Advising on mergers and acquisitions of media companies, including internet portals and internet sites
  • Advising on intellectual property, competition law and other regulatory issues specific to the industry

We have represented the successful bidder on the tender for one of Israel’s Channel Two’s terrestrial commercial television franchises, major global film distribution companies on their content distribution in Israel, one of the major global non-stop music cable channels on regulatory and other matters in Israel, and Israel’s widest-circulation newspaper on numerous acquisitions and the ongoing regulatory issues arising from the operation of its business.

Recognition

  • Chambers Global 2022: has ranked S. Horowitz & Co. in the practice area of TMT: Telecoms, Media & Broadcasting “a highly regarded telecoms and media group that is well known for its representation of a number of Israel’s most high-profile commercial TV channels, newspapers and internet providers.”
    “The firm remains an attractive choice of counsel for international clients in Israel”
  • The European Legal 500 2021 has ranked S. Horowitz & Co. in Tier 1 the practice area of Telecoms and Media, describing it as: “S. Horowitz & Co is able to leverage the expertise of practitioners in different departments to advise major domestic and international companies on all aspects of their activities in the Israeli market.”. In addition, the directory quotes the firm’s clients: “…not just excellent lawyers, but also knowledgeable about our business. They have profound understanding of the industry, as well as creative thinking and unique problem solving capabilities. They also excel in combining business-oriented thinking and understanding with complex regulatory and legal hurdles we are forced to tackle in our line of work. They provide us with overall service and expertise that makes it easy on us to get full scale answers”.
  • Chambers Global 2021 has ranked S. Horowitz & Co. in the practice area of TMT: Telecoms, Media & Broadcasting: “Highly regarded telecoms and media group well known for its representation of a number of the country’s most high-profile commercial TV channels, newspapers and internet providers. Provides an array of advice to clients concerning regulation, licensing and commercial agreements, with a sophisticated litigious offering including class actions. Increasingly engaged on mandates concerning data protection and privacy. Additional active on major restructurings in the space, such as assisting broadcasters’ transition from franchisee to licensed model. Remains an attractive choice of counsel for international clients in Israel.”
  • The European Legal 500 2020 has ranked S. Horowitz & Co.’s Telecoms and Media Practice in tier 1: “S. Horowitz & Co is a popular choice for large media and digital media companies to defend them in class actions. The group’s broader offering includes handling major M&A deals and corporate agreements, advising media and telecoms clients seeking to obtain permits and licensing rights from regulatory bodies and assisting companies with bids for major commercial tenders.”
  • Chambers Global 2020: “The legal team demonstrated extraordinary knowledge, professionalism and dedication”, additionally commending its “exceptional expertise in the communication field. ”
  • The European Legal 500 2019: “S. Horowitz & Co has a high-profile client base in the media and telecoms sectors and attracts a steady stream of commercial, litigation and regulatory matters. ”
  • Chambers Global 2019: commentators speak highly of the “team’s capability to see the full picture and provide comprehensive legal advice on multiple legal matters in a short response time.”. In addition, sources value the team, citing its “very commercial view of deals. They know how to find creative solutions and build bridges to make a deal happen.”
  • Chambers Global 2018: “They think creatively and find solutions to issues. They know extremely well the complicated legal and regulatory arena.”
  • The European Legal 500 2015 describes the team that S. Horowitz & Co fields as “a superb team of lawyers”.
  • The European Legal 500 2011 states that the team is “the best for service and professionalism”.