Industries

We provide legal services specific to the industry sector in which our national and international clients operate: their needs are at the centre of our thinking. We are aware of the importance of a thorough understanding of the business in question, which is why we have combined our activities by practice area with those by industry sector. Our lawyers are distinguished by a specialist approach to support management in making strategic business decisions.

Automotive

We have gained significant experience in assisting operators who develop and produce solutions and components for the automotive industry. 

In particular we can: 

– assist customers in negotiations with customers and suppliers

– manage complex recall practices

– protect patents, know-how and secrets in and out of court 

The food & drink sector, i.e. the industry of production, marketing and serving of food and beverages, is one of the leading sectors of Made in Italy and one of the main factors of competitiveness of the Belpaese system.

Italy is not only counted – also for tradition and cultural approach – among the main food and beverage producing countries, but is also in first place in the world for the number of designations of origin and geographical indications with numerous protection consortia.

 

In years of crisis, the food sector has not only bucked the trend compared to other market segments (with growth in turnover, employment and exports), but it is also a strategic field in which one of the great challenges of today is being played out, namely that of feeding the planet between population growth, optimisation of resources, environmental sustainability and research and innovation projects.  

 

The food law team has had the opportunity to work in this field since the early 2000s, i.e. since the dawn of ‘European’ food law, and has acquired a unique expertise in an area that is among the new frontiers of law.

 

We regularly advise our clients on all structured finance transactions and also assist them in all regulatory aspects related to activities such as real estate financing and investments, covered bonds and structured finance and derivatives.

The scope of our activities, by way of example, includes:

  • advice and assistance related to the regulatory profiles of acquisition, merger and reorganisation operations of intermediaries, including the management of relations with the Supervisory Authorities;
  • advice and assistance relating to the establishment in Italy of branches of EU and non-EU intermediaries as well as to the start-up of activities on a cross-border basis by such intermediaries;
  • assistance in proceedings for inclusion in, and removal from, registers and lists;
  • compliance consultancy on an ongoing or ad hoc basis in the various areas of intermediaries’ activities (prudential supervision, transparency of shareholding structures, anti-money laundering, anti-usury, transparency, administrative liability of entities pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 231/01, etc.)
  • assistance in the drafting of standard contractual documents and in the negotiation of individual or syndicated contracts;
  • assistance in administrative sanction proceedings;
  • assistance in the management of disputes with clients.

 

Our Firm has long-standing experience in the industry, regularly providing assistance to its clients in the field of television and film productions. 

Our Firm provides services, in particular:

  • Assistance to producers in the acquisition of authors rights, in the negotiation and conclusion of acquisition, licensing and distribution agreements and in general for all matters concerning the production and distribution of cinematographic and similar works;
  • Assistance to radio and television broadcasters in the acquisition, production and use of contents, especially with reference to relationships with authors, artists, performers, content providers, as well as in the acquisition and/or transfer of formats;
  • Negotiation and drafting of all types of television contracts (acquisition of rights, television productions, licensing agreements for artistic performances, as well as distribution contracts with service platforms and network operators); 
  • Assistance to audio-visual media service providers in relation to all regulatory matters (e.g. European quotas, commercial communications, protection of minors, compliance with regulatory requirements);
  • Advising and assisting clients in dealing with the communications authorities (procedures for satellite, DTT and cable authorisations, procedures for the acquisition of transmission capacity, hearings before AGCOM and administrative courts);
  • Assistance in litigation in favour of right holders and/or users, licensees and/or distributors of film and/or radio and television content.

Publishing Industry

Thanks to its solid experience in providing legal and extrajudicial assistance to leading Italian publishers, our Firm is able to answer to its client needs throughout the process of publication and distribution of a work, both in digital and printed form. 

In particular:  

  • Negotiation and drafting of contracts in the IP field (publishing, transfer and licensing, editing agreements and agency contracts);
  • Assistance to/with authors and publishers in case of plagiarism or abusive publication and in case of unfair competition;
  • Consultancy in the launch of digital content distribution platforms and new publishing projects;
  • Protection of trademarks and other distinctive signs owned by publishing companies;
  • Assistance in due diligence activities and intra-group transactions;
  • Management of relations with collecting societies (SIAE, etc.);
  • Assistance in all types of litigation in favour of publishing companies and rights holders and/or users, licensees and/or distributors.

Energy, natural resources and utilities

We have gained considerable knowledge and experience in all factors affecting the energy and utilities sector and are able to provide assistance with a high level of specialisation, and with an integrated approach, in a constantly developing market. The attention to detail of our professionals guarantees effectiveness and punctuality of service.

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Renewable sources and energy efficiency

We are also particularly active in the field of energy efficiency, assisting ESCOs, drafting energy performance and energy service contracts, cogeneration and heat supply contracts, financing contracts, as well as advising on white certificates and participation in public tenders.

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Fashion and Luxury

We are available to provide both in- and out-of-court advisory services to companies operating in the fashion and luxury goods sectors, from small boutiques to multinationals. 

We ordinary deal with: 

  • defence of registered and unregistered trademarks and designs relating to clothing and accessories
  • review of advertising campaigns
  • negotiating, drafting and reviewing contracts with suppliers, business partners, distributors, testimonials and influencers
  • license agreements.

Real Estate and Retail

We have extensive experience and a high reputation in this field. We regularly work with national and international clients, including corporations, real estate funds, banks, private and institutional investors, ensuring quality services and comprehensive, personalised assistance in relation to assets of all classes.

Particularly noteworthy is the activity related to tenders and all related contracts, as well as related aspects: from financing to guarantees; application of the sector’s regulations, also with regard to building and urban planning aspects; from negotiation to management of litigation and judicial sales; protection of property and minor real rights.

 

Our activity includes assistance, advice and advocacy in the following areas

  • construction, sale and management of real estate complexes, hotels, commercial and logistic centres;
  • drafting and negotiation of contracts for the sale, purchase, development, management and financing of any type of real estate asset, whether for commercial or industrial purposes or for residential use.
  • commercial contracts in the sector (leases, business leases, renovation and fitting out of outlets, negotiation and drafting of franchising contracts), assisting major national and foreign brands operating in the retail, shopping centre and showroom, tourism, office and industrial property sectors.
  • establishment, administration and dissolution of condominiums;
  • planning, promotion and management of active and passive litigation in the field of protection of property and possession.
  • Litigation
  • Legal due diligence on real estate

Life Sciences

We have in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical regulatory sector, cosmetics, medical devices, dietary supplements and veterinary drugs and we are able to assist our clients in relation to manufacturing and marketing of such products.

Our services include: 

  • CE marking
  • Regulatory activity
  • Relations with the competent authorities
  • Contracts
  • Health advertising authorisations
  • Intellectual property protection

Music

The Firm has long-standing experience in providing legal and extrajudicial assistance to music publishers and phonographic producers and in protecting authors and artists. 

In particular, our Firm offers services in: 

  • Negotiation and drafting of IP contracts (publishing, transfer, licensing, synchronisation agreements and etc.) and in drafting contracts with record companies, music publishing companies, producers and/or managers;
  • Due-diligence activity for acquisitions of music catalogues;
  • Management of relations with collecting societies (SIAE, etc.);
  • Assistance to phonographic producers, licensees and/or distributors, music publishers and live event organisers in the acquisition of rights from authors, artists and performers and in negotiation and conclusion of acquisition, licensing and distribution agreements and, in general, for all relations relating to the production and distribution of musical works;
  • Assistance and advice to artists in dealing with production companies, television networks and in the field of live performances (television, radio, digital and social media platforms, etc.) and/or music tours;
  • Assistance and advice in the management and protection of copyright and related rights, and also image rights, in relation to social media and digital platforms uses. 
  • Assistance in all types of litigation in favour of right holders and/or users, licensees and/or distributors of music content. 

Start-Up

Over the past few years, the Firm’s professionals have advised many innovative start-ups, especially in the digital environment, and have met their problems and needs.

The experience gained in the field enabled us to develop a “starter pack” including all the tools a start-up needs to be able to start operating in the market.

The package includes, in particular:

  • an initial meeting with one or more of the Firm’s professionals aimed at understanding the client’s business and its actual needs;
  • support/assistance with the incorporation of the company and related obligations;
  • drafting of website terms of use and/or general conditions of purchase, in case of online sales;
  • drafting of Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy;
  • trademark registration and any clearance searches;
  • the identification and implementation of the best strategy to protect the “idea” underlying the start-up’s activity. 

Collaboration with affiliated and equally qualified partners allows us to offer our services at particularly favourable rates, in order to share the “gamble” inherent in every innovative start-up with our clients.

TMT – Technology, Media & Telecommunications

Our firm has always been focused on the evolution of technology and new forms of communication, as well as to the related legal issues.

Particularly in recent years, the Firm’s professionals have had the opportunity to assist several companies in launching online platforms for the provision of digital content.  

The services offered in the field of media and new technologies include in particular: 

  • advising and assisting clients in their relations with the communications authorities (procedures for satellite, DTT and cable authorisations, procedures for the acquisition of transmission capacity, hearings before AGCOM and administrative courts)
  • assistance to audiovisual media service providers in relation to all regulatory aspects (e.g. European quotas, commercial communications, protection of minors, compliance with regulatory requirements);
  • negotiation and drafting of all kinds of television contracts (acquisition of rights, television productions, licence agreements for artistic performances, as well as distribution contracts with service platforms and network operators); 
  • drafting, reviewing and localising conditions of use and policies relating to websites, with particular reference to the T&C of e-commerce platforms.

Videogames

Aware of the growing importance of the video games market and thanks to the experience gained over the years in assisting leading companies active in the production of consoles and interactive games, the professionals of our firm offer advice and support to Italian and foreign companies operating in the gaming sector.

Services offered in this field include: 

  • verification and negotiation of IP rights 
  • advice and assistance in the protection of copyrighted products through the use of technical protection measures;
  • assistance with anti-piracy procedures; 
  • advice on e-sports and prize competitions; 
  • support to companies on video game marketing and in-game advertising.