Asia-Pacific Australia TMT: Media

Thomson Geer's nationwide media team is experienced in the representation of many of Australia's largest print, online and television news outlets. It is notably active in the provision of pre-publication advice and experienced in the handling of breach of confidence, suppression order, contempt and source revelation issues, as well as the carriage of high-profile defamation litigation in superior state and Commonwealth courts. In the technology and telecommunications sphere, Thomson Geer is prominently engaged on key procurement, outsourcing and implementation mandates, including the installation of software management systems and the rollout of 5G networks. Key clients include Nationwide News, Nine Network and the City of Sydney.

Allens takes prominent roles on major TMT-related M&A transactions and advises government and corporate clients on large-scale technology outsourcing projects. It is a preferred practice for fintech and electronic payments mandates as well as data exchange and commercialisation and privacy matters. The law firm also advises Australia's major telecommunications companies on governance and regulatory issues. In the media space, Allens has a respected distribution and broadcasting advisory team which represents major players in the acquisition of sports broadcasting and other media rights and in corporate activity, including media joint ventures. Media clients also benefit from the firm's ability to offer a full suite of intellectual property advice. Key clients include Fox Sports, TPG Telecom and Coles.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth's full-service practice handles a broad range of corporate, contentious and advisory mandates for a stable of local and international clients. It is adept at supporting large technology companies on new product launches, telecommunications providers on regulatory compliance issues and cloud computing providers, social media networks and major e-commerce players on data privacy questions. The practice is also noted for its handling of data breach and cybersecurity matters and large-scale IT system upgrades and outsourcings. It additionally combines an established defamation practice with advice on joint ventures, acquisitions and commercial agreements in the media space, and noted for its expertise concerning digital streaming launches. Key clients include TPG Telecom, Google and eBay.

Gilbert + Tobin fields outstanding practitioners in the IT and telecommunications spheres, with a wealth of transactional and regulatory experience on market-leading deals for key domestic and multinational industry clients across multiple industries in the public and private sectors. The law firm is notably active in the procurement of global IT solutions and SaaS outsourcing mandates and prominent in the emerging technologies market, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and data protection. It is additionally experienced in media regulation and content ownership, licensing and media buying work, including rights deals and commercial initiatives, and adept at assisting with privacy, digital piracy and simulcasting issues impacting on the provision of online media content. Gilbert + Tobin is further noted for corporate advisory and joint venture work for online, broadcast and print media companies and their owners. Key clients include Microsoft, Telstra and Transport for NSW.