As one of the first PRC firms to specialize in media & entertainment, TransAsia has unparalleled experience in assisting clients to navigate this strictly regulated field.

Our firm enjoys a pre-eminent reputation for our work across both the traditional and emerging digital media and high-tech markets.  These areas include television (co-)production, motion pictures, the Internet, IPTV and content streaming, satellite broadcasts, advertising, print media, online publications, events and sports marketing.

Client Services

• drafting, negotiating and advising on transaction documentation for co-production projects (film and television)
•  establishing corporate entities tailored to the media and entertainment industry (including equity and cooperative joint ventures, wholly owned subsidiaries, and domestic companies)
• negotiating and documenting sponsorship arrangements
• advising on regulatory and compliance issues
• structuring and negotiating licensing and distribution arrangements
• securing television broadcast landing rights

Our media and entertainment team takes a cross-disciplinary approach to address specific client needs by working closely with our other relevant practices, such as those specializing in intellectual property and employment. 

Representative Transactions

• Advised Imagi on the co-production of the animated film Astroboy
• Negotiated the acquisition of a majority stake in Emma Entertainment on behalf of Ticketmaster
• Acted as PRC counsel to Walt Disney for film and television co-productions (live action and animated), including High School Musical (China)
• Advised Walt Disney on new media market initiatives in China
• Advised Reed Elsevier on print and electronic distribution agreements
• Appointed by China Film Group in September 2009 as general counsel for all its co-production projects, including to date the City of Life and Death (or Nanking! Nanking!), Bodyguards and Assassins and Confucius
• Advised IMG on its joint venture with CCTV for events management and athlete representation 
• Advised Reed Elsevier on print and electronic distribution agreements
• General counsel to Grüner+Jahr for its magazine and book co-publishing arrangements with several PRC partners, as well as general corporate matters
• Negotiated copyright licensing agreements with sports publishers throughout Europe, Asia and South America on behalf of Titan (Sports Weekly), China's premier sports newspaper
• Acted as PRC counsel for Bertelsmann on the establishment of China's first Sino-foreign book distribution joint venture 
• Advised on Red Cliff, a Sino-foreign film co-production by John Woo
• Represented Ruddy Morgan on the co-production of films and television dramas with local partners, including the films Perhaps Love, Protégé and Warlords
• Acted as PRC counsel for J&J Productions on The Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li
• Advised TVSN on its various home shopping projects with television stations nationwide
• Represented China Cablecom (NASDAQ: CABL) in the establishment of its corporate structure and subsequent investments in China
• Acted for the Beijing Reignwood Theatre in negotiating and signing a contract for Maestro Placido Domingo to serve as its artistic advisor 

Government Advisory Work

Public Service

Our Beijing and Shanghai offices have active pro bono programs designed to promote a higher degree of mutual understanding between international media companies and Chinese regulators.  We regularly conduct workshops for our clients and prepare special reports on selected topics. Recent topics have included television shopping and online piracy.

In recognition of our expertise, we are often invited by government agencies to comment on, and provide English translations of, new legislation, as well as research new areas of law relevant to China. These agencies include the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, SARFT, GAPP, the State Administration of Industry and Commerce, and the State Council Information Office.

Publications

China’s Media & Entertainment Law

With contributions from senior government officials and the endorsement of the SARFT and other key regulators, in 2003 and 2006 we published the 1^st and 2^nd volumes of China’s Media and Entertainment Law. The book is the first and only publication of its kind and serves as the authoritative reference guide on this area.  It contains translations of, and in-depth commentaries on, key PRC media legislation.  A 3^rd volume is currently being produced.

Other Publications

• 1998: Philip Qu, a senior partner at TransAsia, co-authored Cable TV in China, a Financial Times management report detailing the regulatory development of the Chinese cable television sector.
• 2007: TransAsia collaborated with Niko Partners to release a report on China’s Videogame Industry Regulatory Landscape.  The report details the regulations, policies and processes for launching an online or traditional offline videogame in China and is a critical read for any company wishing to enter China's games market.
• 2009: We were invited by the SARFT to produce the official English translations of regulations for its publication China’s Laws and Regulations for Radio, Film and Television – a compilation of 47 essential pieces of legislation for the Chinese radio, film and television industry.

Representative Clients