Entertainment, Sports, and Media
The entertainment, sports, and media industries are in constant flux.
The emergence of new media and the launch of new communication platforms have created new business models.
The emergence of new media and the launch of new communication platforms have created new business models.
BCF’s professionals support the most influential cultural and sports icons in the country by helping them protect and successfully market their brands. We represent major players in the theatre, film, sports, and circus industries as well as television networks, music producers, publishers, video-game producers, advertising agencies, film companies, and digital media.
BCF’s professionals understand the market trends affecting the entertainment, sports, and media industries. We negotiate a variety of commercial agreements, salary caps, income-sharing arrangements, and broadcasting agreements on behalf of our clients. We also represent them in cases involving grievances, pension plans, collective bargaining, and arbitration proceedings. Our mergers and acquisitions team designs a variety of multiple financing structures, strategic alliances, joint ventures, partnerships, initial public offerings, financial products, tax incentives, and tax credits to help our clients avoid the setbacks that could impede their growth.
Sous-industries
Sous-industries
As a full-service law firm with strong global mobility, wealth management, and employment teams, BCF is a one-stop shop for artists and athletes who are contemplating a temporary or permanent move to Quebec.
Our global mobility team, which includes Canadian, American, and European qualified professionals, ensures not only that appropriate visas and working documents are obtained on time but that other family members receive the support they require to immigrate successfully. Our tax and wealth management team structures remuneration packages to maximise tax savings and provide for various dependents. Our employment and labour group assists with pension planning as well as with salary and benefit negotiations.
BCF draws upon a breadth of talent to represent clients in the entertainment industry on matters ranging from contract negotiation to intellectual property, tax, competition, and trade.
Our commercial lawyers negotiate and draft talent agreements, recording agreements, and production contracts, as well as appearance releases, location releases, and licence agreements. Our financing lawyers negotiate and advise on sponsorships, loans, co-production investments, and grants. We represent a variety of clients from the film, television, performing arts, music, internet, and new media industries. BCF’s tax professionals help these clients benefit from the various grants and tax credits available to them, and structure their projects to take full advantage of existing regimes.
BCF‘s film and television production lawyers help clients not only adapt to but thrive in this ever changing environment.
We represent investors, banks, production companies, distributors, and networks in a variety of matters. While our commercial lawyers draft and negotiate distribution agreements, licences for product placement, and cable network agreements, our financial services and securities teams help clients raise the capital they need to fund productions. Our intellectual property team protects our clients’ rights and ensures that royalties are paid for the use of their materials. Our employment team offers advice on employment practices specific to screen writers, art directors, cinematographers, and other production personnel.
BCF’s multidisciplinary team helps a variety of advertisers, marketing firms, and agencies understand and comply with the laws, regulations, and industry codes that govern marketing and advertising.
In addition to negotiating and drafting advertising agreements, our team advises on internet marketing practices to ensure CASL compliance; reviews television, radio, and internet advertising campaigns; and conducts searches and clears third-party rights. We also advise on proposed promotions and contests as well as comparative advertising and social media programs. We represent clients from a cross-section of industries including food and drugs, cannabis, telecommunications, retail, and medical devices. We ensure that their products contain appropriate labelling, in the right language, and that they are marketed in full compliance with existing legislation.
BCF’s multidisciplinary team represents a variety of clients developing and using multimedia technology.
We advise creators, producers, distributors, broadcasters as well as their various investors on matters ranging from tax credit programs to special production funds, trademarks and copyright protection, employment and immigration, bankruptcy and M&A. As a firm recognised for its strength in technology and innovation, our clients include companies designing and developing new content and distribution technologies and marketing strategies adapted to these platforms.
BCF represents sports leagues, governing associations, players, agents, and officials in a variety of matters.
Our employment lawyers conduct multiparty negotiations and arbitrations on behalf of our clients while our commercial lawyers advise on risk management, internal governance, directors’ and officers’ liability, and insurance benefits. Our global mobility team acts swiftly and effectively to ensure that talented recruits receive their immigration papers and work permits on time and that their families are supported through their transition. Our wealth management and tax group structures and helps put in place instruments to maximise individuals’ wealth and care for their dependents.
