Martin Ochs
Hamlins LLPSpecialist music firm Hamlins LLP is a popular choice for music collecting societies, and has ample expertise in handling a variety of contentious claims brought forward by these societies. Music merchandising work is another key pillar of the practice and a core area of focus for practice head Martin Ochs, who leads on all High Court litigation involving music collecting societies. Another individual to note for contentious matters is Callum Galbraith, who handles royalty audit claims and disputes involving band names and management issues. The team also handles licensing rights for artists and assists with IP rights protection. Christopher Hutchings is a key contact for brand protection and reputation management mandates.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They made everything painless. Simply explained processes and all in easy to understand.’
‘Friendly, simply explained each process and kept me up to date.’
‘Market expertise, strong team which operates with great efficiency.’
‘Martin Ochs is a market leader in this field. A brilliant black-letter lawyer who has a passion for the subject which he deploys to the benefit of his clients.’
‘Hamlins has been advising and representing clients in the music sector for decades and has a deep practical and commercial understanding of the industry.’
‘Martin Ochs stands out as a bright, practical solicitor with a great commercial mind who gets excellent results.’
‘They provide excellent instructions and take a very commercial view on the disputes on which I have worked with them.’
‘Martin Ochs is excellent. He knows his stuff and is a pleasure to work with. Kirsty Lawrence provides very good support and it is always reassuring to have her sitting behind me in court.’
Key clients
- Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)
- Performing Right Society Limited (PRS For Music)
- PPL PRS Limited
- George Lowden Guitars
- TRAP (Trademark & Rightsholders Against Piracy)
- David Nicoll (manager of The Kooks and others)
- Bravado International Group
- Danilo
- Sharleen Spiteri
- Warner Music Group
- Adam Ficek
- Rafferty Law
- Shane Lynch
- Neil Fox
Work highlights
- Acting for Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) to enforce High Court Injunctions against infringers who do not take the requisite licence in order to play sound recordings belonging to PPL and/or the record companies.
- Assisting Trademark and Rightsholders against Piracy (TRAP) with both civil and criminal infringement actions on behalf of TRAP, dealing with agents and band management involving evidence and Trading Standards and Enforcement Agencies in relation to execution of raids.
- Advised Lowden Guitars on brand management, particularly in relation to its collaboration with Ed Sheeran for the Sheeran by Lowden brand.
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Practice head
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Martin Ochs