The trial and global disputes team at King & Spalding LLP continues to be a leading advisor on a wide range of IP matters, particularly those involving idea theft, First Amendment and defamation issues, employment and licensing disputes, and class actions. The firm serves as leading counsel to media, entertainment, and technology companies, including both traditional and new media. Kenneth Steinthal, a specialist in IP, tech, and traditional media, is at the forefront of defending clients using innovative approaches to distribution platforms, who leads the team from San Francisco. His leadership in arbitration proceedings initiated by two major US performance rights organizations has reinforced the firm’s strong reputation within the music industry. Arwen Johnson, based in Los Angeles, represents high-profile Hollywood clients. Her major arbitration victory for Netflix this year has further cemented her standing within the industry. David Mattern, who leads the firm’s Washington DC office in copyright law, is known for his extensive experience in managing court matters, making him a trusted advisor for major service providers and platforms navigating complex content issues.
Legal 500 redaktioneller Kommentar
Profil

Kernmandanten

  • A&E Television Networks
  • AMC Networks
  • Audacy (formerly known as Entercom and including CBS Radio)
  • BBC
  • Bloomberg TV and Radio
  • ByteDance/TikTok
  • Comcast/NBCUniversal
  • Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including NPR and PBS
  • Cumulus Media
  • DISH

Highlight-Mandate

  • Leading the defense of Comedy Central and Paramount Global in two putative class actions brought in November 2022 and March 2023 relating to royalties allegedly due to comedians for the performances of their recordings on digital streaming services.
  • Represented the Radio Music License Committee in proceedings commenced in June 2022 against ASCAP and BMI, challenging royalty rates subject to regulatory provisions under the ASCAP and BMI antitrust consent decrees, as well as and in arbitration proceedings which resulted earlier this year in obtaining a favourable result for the RMLC in a rate-setting arbitration against SESAC.
  • Defending Paramount Global in connection with two separate lawsuits brought by BMI for breach of music licensing agreements against Showtime and CBS/Paramount+, leading to a favourable settlement in December 2024.

Anwält*innen

Hall of fame

Die Anwält*innen an der Spitze ihres Berufsstands, die aufgrund ihres langjährigen Engagements in marktführender Arbeit von Wettbewerbern und Mandanten gleichermaßen geschätzt und anerkannt werden.

Kenneth Steinthal

Führende Partner*innen

Die stärksten Partner*innen ihres Praxisbereichs, die eine führende Rolle in signifikanten Mandaten einnehmen und weitreichende Anerkennung unter Wettbewerbern und Mandanten genießen.

Arwen Johnson

Partner*innen der nächsten Generation

Juniorpartner*innen, die im Markt von Mandanten und Wettbewerbern anerkannt werden und in einigen Mandaten eine Schlüsselrolle einnehmen.

David Mattern

Praxisleitung

Kenneth Steinthal

Weitere Kernanwält*innen

Arwen Johnson; David Mattern