Media – contract and copyright law

The media law boutique is in high demand, especially among film producers. Long-standing clients from the local Hamburg market and beyond rely on the experienced team for their film or TV series productions. Another focus of the firm is advising the publishing industry. For many years, various renowned publishing houses have relied on the services of the team in copyright matters. Another source of new clients is the review of content – both in print and moving pictures – for compliance with press law.

Strengths: Extensive experience with TV and film productions, review of scripts.

Frequently recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef  (“very committed and extremely competent”, competitor)

Partner change: Dr. Christian Rauda (to Artana)

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies and publishing houses. Copyright law, licensing. Advising artists and rights holders on copyright law, including litigation.

Clients: Black Forest Studios (legal advice on film law for various US co-productions); Estate of Michael Ende on new film rights for ‘The Neverending Story’; British production and marketing company (ongoing legal advice on film law); Network Movie on various productions.

Press law and freedom of speech

The Hamburg media law boutique specializes in press law and freedom of speech, in particular the review of manuscripts and scripts. It therefore has excellent contacts to the local publishing and film production industry. Occasionally, the law firm can also be seen on the side of those affected. The eam, which also advises on media and copyright law, is also consolidating its position in the international arena. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that two renowned British publishers, Cambridge and Oxford University Press, and the New York Times rely on the firm’s services for press law issues in Germany.

Often recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef (“professionally good”, client; “very committed and extremely competent”, competitor)

Specialties: Press law review of scripts and manuscripts.

Clients: New York Times, Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press (ongoing legal advice on press law issues); Kamphausen Media (legal advice on book reviews); Penguin Random House (legal advice on various matters, including reviews of manuscripts); Oetinger publishing group (ongoing legal advice on press law).

Media – contract and copyright law
The media law boutique is in high demand, especially among film producers. Long-standing clients from the local Hamburg market and across the country rely on the experienced team for their film or TV series productions. Thus, it is not uncommon for  Graef to negotiate with major TV channels or streaming providers on the opposing side, for example, for its client 27 Kilometer in connection with a Netflix production. Another focus of the firm is advising the publishing industry. For many years, various renowned publishing houses have relied on the services of the team in copyright matters. Another source of new clients is the review of content – both in print and moving pictures – for compliance with press law. The firm also advises the games industry, mostly in the context of transactions, which in many cases raise data privacy issues. With Christian Rauda, Graef fields a recognized games expert, who advises a number of reputable market players.

Strengths: Extensive experience with TV and film productions, review of scripts.

Frequently recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef.

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishing houses and the games industry. Copyright law, licensing. Advising artists and rights holders on copyright law, including litigation.

Clients: 27 Kilometer Entertainment (legal advice on film law for Netflix production ‘Haftbefehl’); Docdays Productions (ongoing legal advice, including on co-productions, financing and distribution; Filmfest HH (legal advice on event implementation); Kiez Tournee (legal advice on bestseller compensation proceedings (before Hamburg Regional Court and Court of Appeals); Network Movie Film- u. Fernsehproduktion (legal advice on various productions); Ulysses Filmproduktion (legal advise on various matters, including major animation project); regular clients: BytroLabs, Daedalic Entertainment, Dropkick Pictures, Filmförderung HH Schleswig-Holstein, Giants Software, InnoGames, nordmedia, Penguin Random House, Astrid Lindgren Company, Verlagsgruppe Oetinger, ESL Gaming (including legal advice on data privacy law).

Press law and freedom of speech
The Hamburg media law boutique specializes in press law and freedom of speech, in particular the review of manuscripts and scripts. The firm’s success in this area is due, in particular, to excellent contacts to the local publishing and film production industry. However, the team, which also advises on media and copyright law, is also consolidating its position in the international arena. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that two renowned British publishers, Cambridge and Oxford University Press, rely on the firm’s services for press law issues in Germany.

Specialties: Press law review of scripts and manuscripts.

Clients: Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press (ongoing legal advice on press law issues); Kamphausen Media (legal advice on press law, book reviews); Penguin Random House (legal advice on various matters, including reviews of manuscripts); Oetinger publishing group (ongoing legal advice on press law); British production and marketing company (ongoing legal advice on press law)”

FOCUS Spezial 2023 recommends GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as a top law firm in the area of “Media and Press”. Our firm was “disproportionately recommended by colleagues”.

We are delighted to announce that Dr Ralph Oliver Graef has  been recognized in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in Germany™ for his high caliber work in Entertainment Law and Prof. Dr. Christian Rauda for his high caliber work in Gaming Law (bestlawyers.com).

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising over 650,000 confidential evaluations by attorneys in Germany. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction and symbolizes excellence in practice.

In 2023 brand eins and research institute Statista once again recognized GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as one of the best business law firms in Germany for the areas of “Media, Press” and “Trademarks, Industrial Designs”. In the area of “Media/Press” we were one of only seven media law firms to receive the highest rating of 4 stars, and in the area of “Trademarks, Industrial Designs” we earned a very strong rating of 3 stars. The scores are based on surveys of fellow attorneys and clients. We are thrilled about the media & entertainment industry’s appreciation of our services.

Media – contract and copyright law
Assessment: the Hamburg media law firm is firmly anchored in the film production and publishing industries. Serving numerous German and international production companies, the firm provides legal advice on all issues arising in connection with film productions, including financing and subsidy issues and, above all, reviews of scripts. In particular for the latter, the firm’s press law expertise is a valuable asset, for example if publicity or privacy rights must be reviewed. Having little competition in the market, Rauda has established himself as a games expert, advising primarily German market participants, such as InnoGames, on all issues arising in this industry, including IT and data privacy law. The firm’s know-how is also tapped in the transaction business on a regular basis. A good example is the long-time client Daedalic Entertainment, which Graef recently advised on a share deal.

Strengths: Extensive experience with TV and film productions, reviews of scripts.

Frequently recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef.

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishing houses and the games industry. Copyright law, licensing. Artists and copyright holders, including litigation. Also press law.

Clients: InnoGames (legal advice on all games-related legal issues); a&o Buero Filmproduktion (legal advice on film production-related legal issues for various projects); estate of Michael Ende (legal advice on remake rights); Daedalic Entertainment (ongoing legal advice on all games- related legal issues, and on share sale to Nacon); The Astrid Lindgren Company (legal advice on international copyrights and model proceedings in connection with various film agreements and film music; ongoing: BeamNG, brave new work filmproductions, BytroLabs, East Side Games, Docdays Productions, Filmförderung HH Schleswig-Holstein, Giants Software, MindPeak, Network Movie, Nordmedia, Quantumfrog, Sviper, Oetinger publishing group; the firm provides legal advice for a British film production and the marketing of film projects; the firm also advises a U.S. film studio on a feature film production.

Press law and freedom of speech
Assessment: Few law firms are as heavily involved in press law reviews of books and scripts. The firm’s founding partner Graef skillfully uses his contacts to German and international film production business in this connection. Some of them have relied on the firm’s media law know-how for many years. One example is the publishing house Kamphausen, which most recently retained the firm to perform a press law review of the Monsanto Affair project. In addition, the firm regularly represents affected companies as well as publishing houses in classic press law disputes, for example the New York Times in a dispute with tennis pro Zverev.

Team: total number of media law attorneys: 2 partners, 6 associates.

Specialties: legal advice for publishing houses and affected parties.

Clients: Cambridge University Press (ongoing legal advice on press law issues); New York Times (representation in press law dispute with Alexander Zverev); Kamphausen Media (press law book review); urban development project (legal advice on press law issues and cooperation agreements); Oxford University Press (various press law book reviews); Penguin Random House (various script reviews); manufacturer of natural cosmetic products (representation in dispute with Recherchenetzwerk Deutschland).”

FOCUS Spezial 2022 recommends GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as a top law firm in the area of “Media and Press”. Our firm was “disproportionately recommended by colleagues”.

We are proud to announce that Dr. Ralph Oliver Graef has been – once again – selected for inclusion in the 14th Edition of Best Lawyers in Germany 2023 for his work in „Entertainment Law“ and “Intellectual Property Law”.

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We did it again… GRAEF Rechtsanwälte was named one of Germany’s best commercial law firms in the areas of media & press law and trademark law.

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GRAEF Rechtsanwälte offers ‘excellent advice on data protection, trademark and copyright law’ and has ‘immense expertise in media law, film, TV and video games’. Especially in relation to video games law, the practice is considered ‘one of Germany’s top boutiques‘. Ralph Oliver Graef’s team excels, among other matters, in assisting with numerous international motion picture productions and representing clients in proceedings pertaining to filming and music rights as well as copyright disputes. Christian Rauda is well respected in the video games industry.

Legal 500 states: “GRAEF Rechtsanwälte offers ‘excellent advice on data protection, trademark and copyright law’ and has ‘immense expertise in media law, film, TV and video games’. Especially for video game law, the firm is considered ‘one of Germany’s top boutiques’. Ralph Oliver Graef‘s team is noted for, among other things, advising on many international feature film productions and representing clients in lawsuits over film rights, music rights and copyrights.”

Our clients have commented on our work as follows: “Communication with the GRAEF team is excellent. Responses are fast, brief, and concise, and solutions are always pragmatic. The team always works in a time-effective and solution-oriented manner.”

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Media Law International ranks our firm as follows: “GRAEF is one of the top law firms for entertainment law, media law and IP law. It focuses on clients from the film and television, book publishing, computer games, and live entertainment industries, as well as on public figures. Managed by Ralph Oliver Graef, the firm has exceptional experience in the financing and production of national and international films, as well as the vetting of scripts and manuscripts. Additional specialties include the right to freedom of expression, litigation PR and data protection. Clients praise the team for its top-notch legal advice, its hands-on approach and its exceptionally high success rate in court.”

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Media: contract and copyright law – In the book publishing and film industry, the Hamburg media law firm is regarded as a trusted source of legal advice. In addition to standard reviews of manuscripts, its clients rely on the firm for a wide range of media-related issues. Contract advice on film adaptations of books is a particular niche of the firm. For example, the firm advised Ulysses Filmproduktion on the co-production of “Amazing Maurice.” Complementing the firm’s in-depth copyright and licensing know-how is its trademark and litigation expertise, including in the gaming industry, where the firm most recently advised Daedalic Entertainment on licensing issues for the games by Ken Follett and Lord of the Rings.

Strengths: Vast experience with TV and film productions, script reviews.

Often recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef (“shrewd tactician, very well connected in the media,” client).

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishers and the gaming industry. Copyright law, licenses. Advising artists and rightsholders on copyright law, also in litigation matters. The firm also advises on press law.

Client matters: Quadrat Capital, media law advice for startup investments; a&o buero filmproduktion, film law advice regarding VW and Audi diesel scandal; the Astrid Lindgren Company, advice on all issues of international copyright law. DOCDAYS Productions, advice on film and financing law, e.g., for the documentaries Projekt Charite, Projekt Corona; Tigermedia, advice on all issues of licensing, copyright law and litigation. Daedalic Entertainment, advice on licensing of rights for games by Ken Follett, among others; ESL Gaming, advice on media law and data privacy rights; advice on all issues of media law in the gaming context: GIANTS Software, Paintbucket Games, Phoenix Games, BeamNG.

Press law and freedom of speech: The Hamburg law firm is known, above all, for press law reviews of books and film scripts. The firm is also associated for rough cut reviews on a regular basis, most recently for the book ‘Bad Company’ and the Charite documentary by its client Docdays Productions. Another mainstay of the firm is legal counsel for stakeholders, which clients have described as “tactically skilful”. A natural cosmetics manufacturer also relies on the firm’s expertise in a dispute with Recherchenetzwerk Deutschland and Hannoversche Neue Presse. The manufacturer also uses the firm’s services in data protection and media law matters, proof of how closely related these practice areas are.

Specialties: Advising publishers and interested parties

Client matters: Argon Verlag AVE, ongoing advice on script reviews, and advice on co-productions, e.g., for Aldi-Brüder, Project Lehman Brothers, Angela Merkel; ongoing press law book reviews: Oxford University Press, e.g., “Nazis and Nobles”; Murmann Publishers, “Inside the App Store”; Random House, e.g., “Bad Company”; Patrizia Immobilien vs. various newspapers re news reports; ongoing legal counsel: Free Democratic Party (FDP), Oetinger Publishing Group, Global Poverty, major city in Northern Germany, natural cosmetics brand, including data protection law, financial investor.”

FOCUS Spezial 2021 recommends GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as a top law firm in the area of “Media and Press”. Our firm was “disproportionately recommended by colleagues”.

Ralph Oliver Graef is named one of Germany’s best lawyers in “Entertainment Law” for the eighth time by Handelsblatt and Best Lawyers.

We are thrilled that GRAEF Rechtsanwälte has once again been ranked Tier 1 in „press and media law“ and „trademark law“ in ‚The Best Business Law Firms in Germany 2021’ by brand eins magazine.

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GRAEF Rechtsanwälte ranked in Media Law International

Media: contract and copyright law – In the book publishing business and, by now also in the film industry, the Hamburg media law firm is regarded as a trusted source of legal advice. In addition to standard reviews of manuscripts, its clients rely on the firm for a wide range of media-related issues. Contract advice on film adaptations of books is a particular niche of the firm. Legal advice on licensing and copyright issues is also in regular demand and often goes hand in hand with trademark advice at Graef Rechtsanwälte: At the intersection of copyright law and trademark law, StoryDocks and Tigermedia relied on the media law boutique in a lawsuit involving design patent issues before the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA). The firm also regularly represents clients in court. The Michael Ende community of heirs placed its trust in the firm in a legal dispute over film and merchandising rights. To meet the rising demand for its services, the firm added an experienced litigator to its team. The firm is also increasingly tapping the gaming industry by advising the Electronic Sports League and Phoenix Games.

Strengths: Vast experience with TV & film productions, script reviews.

Often recommended: Dr. Ralph Graef (“dynamic & proactive,” competitor).

Specialties: Advising film and TV companies, publishers and the gaming industry. Copyright law, licenses. Advising artists and rightsholders on copyright law, also in litigation matters. The firm also advises on press law.

Client matters: Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, advice on copyrights; production company, advice on international co-production of series project. Kordes & Kordes Film, e.g., advice on film law for “The School of Magical Animals”; StoryDocks and Tigermedia, advice on all issues of licensing, copyrights and litigation; Nordmedia, advice on media law; Michael Ende community of heirs, representation before German Supreme Court in matter involving filming and merchandising rights to the book “The Neverending Story”; U.S. film studio, advice on two film projects; Ulysses Film, advice on German-British co-production of the book “Amazing Maurice”; ESL Gaming, advice on media law; HafenCity Hamburg, advice on media and data protection law.

Press law and freedom of speech – The Hamburg firm has established itself as a trusted source of legal advice on press law and freedom of speech. Thanks to its expertise in press law book reviews, the firm occupies a special niche. International publishers also rely on its expertise. For example, the firm performed press law book reviews of “Nazis and Nobles” for Oxford University Press. Long-standing clients, such as Random House, also frequently retain the firm in litigation matters. To meet this demand, the firm added an experienced litigator to its team in early 2020, who also advises clients at the intersection with media law, one of the firm’s strengths. Handling crisis communications for political players, such as the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has been an established part of the firm’s practice for decades, but remains the exception as the firm’s primary focus is publishing and film law.

Specialties: Advising publishers and interested parties.

Client matters: Ongoing press law book reviews: Oxford University Press, e.g., “Nazis and Nobles”, Cambridge University Press; Random House, e.g., Schumacher biography; AVE Publishing, Brave New Work, advice on “Kleine Germanen” and press law advice on documentary film; Online Marketing Rockstars, advice on investigative media information portal; European Film Academy, advice on press law; The World of Neuschwansteiner, ongoing legal advice, e.g., on corporate privacy and publicity rights; ongoing advice: Verlagsgruppe Oetinger, Free Democratic Party (FDP), Junge Union Deutschlands, Alsterspree Verlag.”

Focus Spezial 2020 recommends GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as a top law firm in the areas of “Media and Press” and “Trademarks”. Our firm was “disproportionately recommended by colleagues”.

Ralph Oliver Graef is named one of Germany’s best lawyers in “Entertainment Law” by Handelsblatt and Best Lawyers.

“The idea that a lawyer only gives legal advice is outdated. Today, a lawyer is an advisor, an enabler, a bridge builder.”

GRAEF Rechtsanwälte is awarded by brandeins and statista under the category “The Best Commercial Law Firms 2020” in the fields of Media & Press and Trademarks/Designs.

GRAEF Rechtsanwälte ranked in Media Law International

“The best lawyers for copyright law” in Germany, awarded by German business magazine Wirtschaftswoche. Dr. Ralph Oliver Graef from our law firm was honored. Thank you for appreciating our work.

“1000 lawyers and law firms – the top lawyers in your area”. Focus Spezial 2019 recommends GRAEF Rechtsanwälte as a top law firm in the areas of “media and press” and “brands”. Our law firm was “disproportionately recommended by colleagues”.

GRAEF Rechtsanwälte is proud to announce that Dr. Ralph Oliver Graef was once again voted by his colleagues as one of the “Best Lawyers in Germany” 2019 in the field of entertainment law.