TMT: Media | Asia-Pacific

MinterEllison maintains a leading defamation and pre-publication practice offering support to media companies on content and complaints matters. It also provides media broadcasting and cross-media ownership regulatory advice, as well as significant media-related transactional expertise. The practice offers comprehensive understanding of privacy, liability and risk management issues as they apply to online content in addition to freedom of information, privacy and breach of confidence complaints. MinterEllison is also noted for prominent transactional and infrastructure development work on behalf of telecommunications companies and for advising a broad range of clients from state and national government departments to major financial service players on transformative IT and telecoms procurement and outsourcing projects. It maintains a noteworthy track record of advising international clients on Australian and overseas technology mandates and is further acknowledged for its work in the cybersecurity and data privacy space. Key clients include Al Jazeera, Qantas and Suncorp Group.

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 HarperCollins, Twitter and the NSW Government.

The Baker McKenzie team's membership of a full-service, global network supports deep expertise in the handling of regulatory, contractual and disputes matters for prominent international technology companies and telecommunications providers and the implementation of multi-jurisdictional privacy, data protection and cybersecurity solutions. The practice also offers specialised telecoms infrastructure project, e-commerce and online communications knowledge and is adept at advising clients on blockchain and cryptocurrency matters. The media team, in addition to hosting a well-regarded defamation practice, acting for significant international entrants and established Australian publishers and news groups, advises on media industry M&A transactions and the establishment of new online content delivery arrangements, including online copyright issues. Key clients include Network Ten All Access, Fox Sports Australia and Airbnb.

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 NBCUniversal, Sony Music Entertainment and Foxtel.

Clayton Utz is noted in the IT and telecommunications space for its deep industry knowledge and frequent engagement by significant blue-chip clients on business process outsourcing, data and security matters. The law firm handles transactional matters for critical IT services in the financial and government sectors, including infrastructure procurements and migrations to new technologies, and maintains an impressive client base in the telecoms sphere, advising on everything from joint venture arrangements to access and interconnection agreements between carriers and service providers. Clayton Utz also fields prominent media ownership and broadcasting rights expertise, particularly well honed in the sporting field, and a well-regarded transactional practice, advising on strategic acquisitions and tie-ups. It additionally provides full support on regulatory issues and is well placed to access complementary expertise on IP and competition matters. Key clients include Westpac Banking Corporation, the Reserve Bank of Australia and nbn.

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, Great Southern Bank and Lendlease.

Bird & Bird is recognised for its expertise in corporate transactions for telecommunications companies and digital businesses, fintech, cloud technology and the related data protection issues. The law firm advises technology and communications companies on leasing and licensing issues as well as data centre and mobile network expansions. It is also experienced in assisting clients with matters relating to satellite-based projects. Bird & Bird's growing media practice is valued by clients from traditional and new media alike for its guidance on defamation, pre-publication, privacy and regulatory matters. Key clients include Rockstar Games, Nine Network and Vodafone.

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 Google, nbn and Westpac.