All the members of 8 New Square have considerable specialist knowledge of the media and entertainment industry and are well placed to advise on issues arising from the convergence of media and technology as well as the more traditional areas which may involve trade marks, copyrights, performing rights as well as contractual and licensing issues.
We regularly act in obtaining injunctions for publishers of newspapers and magazines, including News Group, the Mirror Group, and other high profile magazines.
Members are used to instructions in high-profile cases and on behalf of celebrity clients. Recently, we have acted for Sir Bob Geldof, Rihanna, Sir Stellios Haji-Ioannou and Dan Brown, author of the Da Vinci Code. We are experienced in acting for celebrity musicians, having represented Ed Sheeran, the Beatles, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and the Stone Roses amongst many others.
Chambers are also frequently involved in cases involving athletes and rights in sporting events. Members are currently instructed on both sides of the UA92 dispute which involves the Class of 92 Footballers and Brendan Flood, the owner of Burnley FC. We frequently work on behalf of the Football Association to obtain injunctions preventing unlawful playing of sports matches across the UK.
We have experience acting in cases involving proposed TV show formats, the content of unpublished books and personal information. High profile cases of this nature include Bloomsbury v News Group (Harry Potter books), Prince of Wales v Associated Newspapers (Prince Charles’ private diaries) and Secretary of State for Defence v Guardian Newspapers and X v Y (protection of newspaper sources).