Entertainment — Television

Orrick has significant experience in the television industry, representing new media companies that are expanding the definition of television, as well as traditional broadcast, cable and satellite companies.  Companies in this industry have hired Orrick to provide intellectual property advice and counseling, and to represent them in litigation.  Orrick has experience in matters related to television licensing, financing, development, production, distribution and advertising.  Orrick represents companies involved in the creation and distribution of television content, including television studios, Internet and new media companies, and production companies, as well as television-related technology companies, licensing companies, artists and other talent.

Selected Clients

• Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
• E! Entertainment Television, Inc.
• Associated Press Television News
• American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC)
• National Broadcasting Company. Inc. (NBC)
• Lifetime Entertainment Services
• G4 Media, Inc.
• LivePlanet
• Rysher Entertainment
• JumpTV, Inc.
• OpenTV, Inc.
• France Television
• RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana SpA
• Hong Kong Cable TV Ltd.
• Asia Premium Television Group, Inc.
• Media One, Inc.
• Impact Television, Inc.
• Cablevision Systems Corporation
• Classic Communications, Inc.
• BBC Technology
• Gemstar - TV Guide International, Inc.
• DIRECTV.com
• KGO Television Inc.

Recent Engagements

• E! Entertainment Television, Inc. Orrick has advised E! on a variety of issues, including sweepstakes matters and the right of publicity.
• Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Orrick successfully defended TBS in a preliminary injunction trial brought by a competing television company to restrain TBS from employing an executive from the competitor.
• G4 Media, Inc. Orrick has advised G4 on a variety of intellectual property issues.
• LivePlanet. Orrick has advised LivePlanet with respect to licensing, production and distribution arrangements as well as a variety of financing, corporate and compensation matters.
• Intelsat. Advised the company on the establishment of a joint venture to provide broadband and satellite services in Hong Kong and China, including advice relating to pay TV investments.
• Galaxy TV Broadcasting. Advised Hong Kong-based pay TV company in its corporate restructuring and television programming arrangements with a variety of multinational service providers
• DreamWorks. Advised the company on various projects in Asia, including a series of production agreements and financial arrangements with a Hong Kong special effects company for computer graphics animated television programs and the review of intellectual property regimes in eight countries in Asia.
• Anschutz Entertainment Group. Advised one of the world's largest sports and entertainment presenters in its operations and investments in China, including the development of the company's Asia expansion strategy and key elements of its strategy to bring top-quality international events to Asia.
• Lifetime Entertainment Services. Orrick has assisted Lifetime with a variety of employment matters.
• OpenTV, Inc. Orrick advised OpenTV in agreements regarding satellite dish facilities, awide-range of corporate matters and executive compensation matters. Orrick also represented OpenTV in an employment dispute.
• BBC Technology Orrick represented BBC Technology in a significant software and hardware licensing transaction with ESPN, involving a BBC Technology product supporting High Definition Digital Television and enabling ESPN to migrate its programming to HD television standards.
• American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. and KGO Television, Inc. Orrick represented ABC and KGO in a dispute concerning attempts to compel testimony of a news reporter, which involved California's "shield law" protecting against intrusions into the newsgathering process.
• Impact Television, Inc. Orrick advised Impact Television regarding talent agreements, intellectual property licensing, trademark, copyright, right of publicity and corporate matters.
• Columbia TriStar. Advised Columbia TriStar International Television ( now "SONY Pictures Television International") on its investments and activities in Hong Kong and China.
• Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. Orrick successfully prosecuted patent litigation concerning an interactive on-screen television guide on behalf of Gemstar.
• DIRECTV.com. Orrick represented DIRECTV in a multibillion-dollar antitrust case in federal court in Denver brought by EchoStar Communications, Inc.
• BBDO. Orrick represented BBDO in litigation involving a popular national television advertisement involving claims of false implied endorsement under the Lanham Act, common law copyright and a variety of New York state law claims.
• Banco BPI SA. Orrick attorneys negotiated a license from the Chelsea Football Club for the image rights of Chelsea Football Club manager and sports personality Jose Mourinho, for advertising and promotion of products and for use in TV and radio commercials, as well as cinema exhibition, internet advertising, print advertising, publicity material, editorial, direct mail and in-flight ads.
• Classic Communications, Inc. Orrick assisted this cable television provider with bankruptcy reorganization.