Covington’s ability to combine sophisticated transactional experience with IP, technology and industry expertise is well suited to navigating the opportunities represented by new media. Our experience with new media stretches back to now-core technologies that were once “new media,” such as cellular, PCS, wireless cable, and the Internet. Today, we continue to apply our experience to newly emerging media.
Covington’s ability to integrate our lawyers’ skills and experiences allow us to provide transactional advice in areas where deals have never been done before. Synthesizing commercial issues, legal considerations and emerging technologies, Covington has worked in the new media space from a variety of vantage points -- working with traditional media companies in assessing and expanding strategic opportunities for content distribution; with new media companies in creating a transactional framework tailored to their needs and technology; with entrepreneurs in evaluating and exploiting new wireless technologies and new uses for spectrum and with investors looking to realize the value and understand the risks at the leading edge of the media and communications sector.
Representative Matters
- Belo Corp., owner of television and newspaper properties, in its licensing agreements for distribution of news and weather content by mobile telephone.
- NASCAR in its agreement to distribute original Daytona 500 content to iTunes.
- Labrador Communications, a new media start-up, in its audio content licensing agreement with Cingular Wireless.
- MediaFLO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, in connection with the acquisition and clearing of the portion of the 700 MHz spectrum for use in connection with MediaFLO’s nationwide multi-media network, together with unique, related agreements, including, a Voluntary Band Clearing Agreement, an Interference Consent Agreement, and a Voluntary Channel Migration Agreement.
Accolades
- Ranked by Chambers USA as a leading Media and Entertainment practice in 2006-2007.
- Our partners have significant experience outside of the practice ─ for example, on Capitol Hill, where they were deeply involved in the development of telecommunications legislation, and in the executive suites of major and highly visible media companies.
- Our partners have over the years held leadership positions in major associations in the media field ─ including the Federal Communications Bar Association, the International Radio and Television Society Foundation, the Media Institute and the Media Law Resource Center.
- A Covington partner has recently served as president of the Defense Council Section of the Media Law Resource Center, the national organization of media defense attorneys, and as president of the First Amendment Advisory Council of the Media Institute.
- Covington partners are listed in Best Lawyers in America for 2006 for First Amendment and media law.
- A Covington partner received the Sprague Award and the President’s Medal from the National Press Photographers Association for service to the First Amendment.
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