CMS

Partner TMIC Practice Group Leader

John provides commercial, regulatory and copyright law advice to clients across the Technology, Media and Communications sector, in particular, those offering audio and audio-visual content via digital platforms, as well as platform operators.  He has been at the forefront of digital media developments for over 30 years, assisting clients to launch new and innovative services across a range of technologies; from the dawn of satellite television, through the birth of digital interactive media to today’s multi-channel synchronised offerings across broadcast TV, tablets, smartphones and other connected devices.

As well as general entertainment content, many of John’s clients are involved in the exploitation of music and sport.

John has a particular expertise in the licensing of music rights (both individually and collectively) and has represented parties in leading UK Copyright Tribunal cases involving the licensing of music for use in CDs, DVDs, in online and mobile music, in broadcast and in on-demand television.  He has also been involved in establishing licensing models for other types of music use, including in various aspects of the leisure sector.

His clients include linear and on-demand service providers, sports rights holders, record companies, pure-play digital content businesses and mobile operators as well as companies that invest in and provide debt finance to the sector.

Chairman, TV against Piracy Group Chair of Copyright Working Group, British Screen Advisory Council Royal Television Society Fellow, Royal Society of the Arts

1989 – Admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales 1986 – Law Society Finals (Distinction), College of Law, Chester 1985 – BA (Hons) Jurisprudence, Pembroke College, Oxford