The media and entertainment sector is evolving rapidly, driven by streaming platforms, gaming, digital content, AI technologies, immersive experiences and increasingly global audiences. Businesses operating in this space require intellectual property advisers who understand both the commercial realities of the industry and the importance of protecting valuable creative assets.
At Venner Shipley, we advise clients across the media and entertainment landscape on the protection, enforcement and commercialisation of intellectual property rights. Our team works with companies ranging from established global brands and entertainment businesses through to emerging studios, developers, creators and technology-led start-ups.
We support clients operating across:
- Video games and interactive entertainment
- Toys and consumer products
- Film, television and streaming
- Music and audio technology
- Digital media and online platforms
- Animation and character licensing
- Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and immersive technologies
- Esports and live entertainment
- AI-driven creative technologies
- Software, apps and connected entertainment products
A full-service intellectual property offering
Media and entertainment businesses often require coordinated advice across multiple areas of intellectual property. Our integrated team of patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors and litigators enables us to provide commercially focused support across the full IP lifecycle.
Brand protection
Strong brands are central to success in the entertainment industry. We advise on:
- Global trade mark clearance and filing strategies
- Protection of game titles, character names and entertainment brands
- Brand enforcement and anti-counterfeiting programmes
- Online enforcement and takedowns
- Domain name disputes and social media username recovery
- Licensing, merchandising and collaboration agreements
- Portfolio management for international entertainment brands
Our team manages substantial global trade mark portfolios for a range of leading international brand owners and regularly advises on complex cross-border disputes and enforcement strategies.
Patents
Innovation within gaming and entertainment increasingly sits at the intersection of software, hardware and AI. Our patent attorneys advise on the protection of:
- Gaming engines and gameplay technologies
- AI and machine learning systems
- Graphics processing and rendering technologies
- VR and AR platforms
- Streaming and media delivery technologies
- Consumer electronics and connected devices
- User interfaces and interaction technologies
- Audio and visual processing systems
- Toy technologies and smart products
Our attorneys combine deep technical expertise with commercial understanding, helping clients build strategic patent portfolios that support investment, licensing and market growth.
Designs
Visual identity and product appearance are often critical differentiators in the media and entertainment sector. We advise on the protection and enforcement of:
- Character designs
- Toy and product designs
- User interfaces and digital assets
- Packaging and merchandising
- Animation and visual branding elements
We manage registered design portfolios in the UK, Europe and internationally and advise on both infringement and validity issues.
IP disputes and enforcement
The fast-moving nature of the entertainment industry means disputes often require swift and commercially pragmatic action. Our IP litigation team advises on:
- Trade mark and copyright disputes
- Passing off and unfair competition
- Patent litigation
- Design right disputes
- Licensing disputes
- Online infringement and platform enforcement
- Injunctions and urgent enforcement actions
Through our integrated disputes and prosecution capability, we are able to provide strategic advice that aligns with clients’ wider commercial and portfolio objectives.
Supporting businesses at every stage
We work with:
- Gaming studios and developers
- Toy manufacturers and licensors
- Digital entertainment platforms
- Media and broadcasting businesses
- Creative agencies and production companies
- Technology start-ups
- Investors and scale-ups
- Global consumer brands expanding into entertainment and gaming
Whether supporting an early-stage business developing a new platform or advising an established international brand on global IP strategy, our focus is on delivering practical, commercially aligned advice.
Speak to our Media & Entertainment team
To discuss how we can support your business, please get in touch with a member of our Media & Entertainment team.
