Our Media Group offers multi-disciplinary expertise spanning corporate law, defamation, intellectual property, tax and new media advice. We understand the media sector and offer informed expert advice to an impressive array of Irish and international media clients.

Areas of expertise include:

• Publishing – from establishment through contracts to distribution deals and protection of copyright, brands and all forms of intellectual property
• Broadcasting - from conception right through to protection and exploitation and regulatory advice
• Defamation and Privacy
• Corporate and M&A
• Competition and Regulation
• New Media
• Cloud Computing 

Our defamation team advises on general defamation issues, particularly from a defence perspective, on contempt of court and in the ever expanding area of privacy law, a specialisation that marks us out in Ireland. Many of our clients are in the public eye and seek our guidance on media management strategies including reputation management measures.

We have been involved in all significant corporate media deals in Ireland in recent years, and we are expert in all aspects of relevant corporate and commercial law and in the regulation of media under Irish and EU regulatory regimes.

With recent research indicating that Ireland has the potential to become a world leader in the cloud computing industry, our Technology Department is well positioned to assist businesses engaging with and supplying cloud services.

Our experience includes advising/acting for:

The Irish Times and Associated Newspapers respectively, owners in a joint venture of METRO, in a merger, subject to regulatory approval, with Independent News and Media’s HERALD AM, combining Ireland’s two free-sheet newspapers.  

HMV in the acquisition of certain Zavvi stores where we succeeded in getting the deal in place and approved by the Competition Authority in record time.

Associated Newspapers on an going basis providing legal advice on defamation claims.

Associated Newspapers acting for the newspaper in the first case to consider the law in Ireland relating to privacy, which is regarded as a seminal decision.

Daily Mail Group on an ongoing basis on corporate matters.

Emap on the sale of its Irish radio business.

BskyB on a new challenge by the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner which raised novel issues with regard to the duration of consents given by data subjects and interpretation of the meaning of "customer"; we successfully prevented enforcement action and resolved the matter without penalty.

Grand Pictures providing pre-publication advice, on an ongoing basis, for example on “Wide open Spaces” and “Val Falvey TD”

The Irish Times on an ongoing basis on corporate matters.

ESPN on the purchase of NASN from Setanta.

Communicorp Group on an ongoing basis, in relation to tax and on the sale of FM104.

Echostar Satellite (a leading US communications company) on its shareholding in Setanta Sports, including in the context of Setanta’s recent administration.

We are consistently ranked as one of the leading Media & Broadcasting law firms in Ireland.

Department

William Fry’s experienced team is ‘affable and insightful’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - TMT

'William Fry's core philosophy is understanding its client's business. The team is proactive, always operating in a broader context and never focusing on a specific issue.'
Chambers Europe, 2011 - TMT

The firm has strong corporate TMT experience, with clients saying the team 'always delivers'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT

William Fry has a 'flourishing media and entertainment practice'.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2008 – Media and Entertainment

Team

Myra Garrett
Managing Partner Myra Garrett is praised as ‘exceptional’ for her ‘excellent understanding of the industry’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT

David Cullen
David Cullen is ‘one of the best in the business’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2012 - TMT

David Cullen is an ‘outstanding lawyer’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - TMT

Sources report that David Cullen 'takes in the bigger picture and advises in a commercial, solution-focused context'.
Chambers Europe, 2011 - TMT

IT and telecoms head David Cullen is considered ‘outstanding’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT

Ken Casey
Ken Casey is praised as ‘quietly confident, and client orientated’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2011 - TMT

Ken Casey is recommended for his ‘client focused approach’.
Legal 500 EMEA, 2010 – TMT

Fiona Barry
Fiona Barry is said to be ‘gaining a great following’.
Chambers Global 2010 - Dispute Resolution

Several sources commented that Fiona Barry, who specialises in medical negligence cases, 'will continue to rise in people's estimations'.
Chambers Global 2009 - Dispute Resolution