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Entertainment & Media


Our services encompass all aspects of sector activity, including strategy, finance, corporate commercial activities, regulatory approvals, policy development, government relations, intellectual property and dispute resolution.
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Overview

Fasken has led major developments in entertainment and media law in Canada and around the world for more than three decades. We represent some of the biggest names in the industry – including many of the largest multinational telecommunications, broadcasting and internet companies and organizations. We act for clients before various administrative tribunals including the CRTC and the Copyright Board.

Consumers access media from multiple devices and from anywhere in the world. We’ve structured cross-border deals to expand our clients’ digital licencing and distribution capacity, but also to protect their interests if circumstances change.

Apart from providing legal and strategic advice on daily business activities such as contracts, copyright and commercial transactions, we also represent entertainment interest groups in discussions with national and international bodies.

We can represent your interests before courts and specialized tribunals. We have extensive experience and expertise in preparing broadcasting and telecommunications licence applications, and other regulatory submissions, participating in regulatory policy proceedings, filing or opposing copyright tariffs, and filing or opposing trademark applications.

Fasken represents creative leaders such as Cirque du Soleil and Ubisoft and corporations such as Québecor Media, Rogers Communications, Google and AT&T.

Browse our recent work, read our analysis of current entertainment and media law issues or contact any of our lawyers to learn more.

Achievements

  • Ranked nationwide in Canada as top tier (Band 1) in Telecoms, Media & Broadcasting, Chambers Global 2018 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide in Media, Entertainment & Sport, The Globe and Mail 2023 to 2026
  • Ranked nationwide in Media and Entertainment, The Legal 500 Canada 2018 to 2026
  • Ranked nationwide as top tier (Band 1) in Telecommunications & Broadcasting, Chambers Canada 2016 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory in Entertainment Law, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2025
  • Recognized in Telecoms, Media and Entertainment, Lexology Index 2022 to 2024
The Globe and Mail The Globe and Mail Recognized nationwide in Media, Entertainment & Sport This award is presented by The Globe and Mail and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

Team

Primary Contacts
  • Karam Bayrakal, Partner | Corporate/Commercial, Vancouver, BC, +1 604 631 4850, [email protected]
  • Scott M. Prescott, Partner | Partner | Communications | Co-Managing Partner, Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, +1 613 696 6883, [email protected]
  • Christian Leblanc, Partner | Intellectual Property, Montréal, QC, +1 514 397 7545, [email protected]
  • Barbara Miller, Partner | Communications, Toronto, ON, +1 416 865 4410, [email protected]
Karam Bayrakal, Partner | Corporate/Commercial Karam Bayrakal Partner | Corporate/Commercial Vancouver, BC +1 604 631 4850
Scott Prescott Ottawa Lawyer Scott M. Prescott Partner | Partner | Communications | Co-Managing Partner, Ottawa Ottawa, ON +1 613 696 6883
Patent and Intellectual Property Lawyer in Montreal, Christian Leblanc Christian Leblanc Partner | Intellectual Property Montréal, QC +1 514 397 7545
Barbara Miller Toronto Lawyer Barbara Miller Partner | Communications Toronto, ON +1 416 865 4410

Experience

  • La Ronde to be acquired by EPR Properties, [Deal - Six Flags], Sale of La Ronde to ERP Properties.
  • Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. acquires Hollywood Suite Group of Companies, [Deal - Anthem Sports & Entertainment], Canadian multinational media company acquires film company.
  • Financière Outremont investment in Moment Factory, a global multidisciplinary live entertainment studio, [Deal - Financière Outremont], Financière Outremont’s investment in Moment Factory
  • Pratico-Pratiques companies sold to Groupe Pratico, [Deal - The Pratico-Pratiques companies], Sale of Pratico-Pratiques companies to Groupe Pratico.
  • Fasken achieves an important gain for public right to information before the Supreme Court of Canada, [Case - Coalition of media], Litigation regarding public right to information before the Supreme Court of Canada.
  • Playmaker Capital acquires La Poche Bleue for C$ 8,8 M, [Deal - La Poche Bleue Inc.], Acquisition of La Poche Bleue by Playmaker Capital.
  • Royal Bank of Canada leads syndicate in the provision of a US$185 million credit facility for WideOrbit LLC, [Deal - A syndicate of lenders led by Royal Bank of Canada], Credit facility establishment for a worldwide leader in advertisement management.
  • US major league sports franchise considers international trade law issues in relation to the expansion into Canada of their marketing activities, [Case - Confidential Client], US major league sports franchise strategizes Canadian promotion expansion
  • Rogers Communications Inc. receives CRTC approval to acquire Shaw Communications Inc., [Deal - Rogers Communications Inc.], Rogers Communications Inc. obtains CRTC approval under the Broadcasting Act for its application to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Shaw Communications and its broadcasting subsidiaries

Knowledge

  • “Making Available” – The Supreme Court Rules That There Is Only One Royalty Fee to Be Paid, 7/28/2022
  • The Supreme Court writes about the legal framework that applies to discrimination claims involving freedom of expression under the Charter of human rights and freedoms, 12/7/2021

Events

News

  • Christian Leblanc analyzes the legal framework surrounding AI-generated artistic content in an interview broadcast on 98.5, 3/25/2026
  • Fasken Partner Noah Boudreau Named Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, 11/10/2025
  • The 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory Recognizes 235 Fasken Lawyers, 4/22/2021
  • Forty-Two Fasken Lawyers Ranked in 2020 Edition of Legal 500 Canada, 11/19/2019
  • Fasken’s Litigators Listed in Benchmark Litigation Canada 2019 Guide, 3/29/2019
  • Chambers Global 2018 recognizes 54 Fasken lawyers in 19 practice areas firm-wide, 2/19/2018
  • Fasken Martineau receives Band 1 rankings in four practice areas in Chambers Global 2017, 3/20/2017
  • The Legal 500 Canada 2017: 63 Fasken Martineau lawyers ranked, 11/15/2016
  • La Presse+ quotes Christian Leblanc in an article on protecting journalists’ sources, 10/31/2016
  • The Hollywood Reporter quotes Ariel Thomas in an article about Netflix’s clampdown on users who use VPNs and proxy services to access the U.S. streaming service, 4/20/2016

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