All the members of 8 New Square have considerable specialist knowledge of the media and entertainment industry. Our expertise lies in combining specialist knowledge of the underlying intellectual property rights with sector-specific expertise in the television, film, media, broadcasting, gaming and advertising industries.
Chambers attracts instructions from many high-profile organisations and individuals in the media and entertainment industries on highly confidential matters and disputes of public interest (many of which don’t enter the public domain).
In recent years, Chambers has acted in the highest profile media and entertainment cases. 8 New Square counsel successfully represented Ed Sheeran in the dispute between Sheeran & Ors v Chokri & Ors, concerning authorship of aspects of the music for the hit single “Shape of You”. This followed several members of Chambers acting on both sides of the 2021 dispute between The Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers.
8 New Square has continued to be instructed in a large volume of broadcasting work, acting for major broadcasters, ISPs, and sporting associations. Chambers frequently works on behalf of these clients to obtain injunctions preventing the unlawful airing and streaming of major sporting events including Premier League & European football fixtures and major boxing events.
In 2024, 8 New Square counsel acted for both sides of the ongoing case between Lunak Heavy Industries v Tyburn Film Productions – a dispute relating to the use of an individual’s likeness in the Star Wars movie ‘Rogue One: a Star Wars Story, whilst Shazam v Only Fools The Dining Experience is another case of significance.