Shared intelligence: International Format Lawyers Association will link global experts

A partner at London-based media and entertainment firm The Simkins Partnership launched the first association for lawyers specialising in the 2.4 billion euros (£1.6 billion) worldwide television format industry last week.


Jonathan Coad said membership of the International Format Lawyers Association (IFLA) will be open to a small number of lawyers from each jurisdiction who are experts in the specialised industry, which involves licensing the rights to programmes such as 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' and 'The Weakest Link'.


The association was set up jointly with German media and entertainment lawyer Marc Heinkelein, and will initially cover the UK and Germany. It is expected to quickly increase its global reach, with two members already selected to cover the east and west coasts of the US.


Mr Coad, who recently acted for ITV.com in a dispute over the rights to 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here', said the IFLA will eventually enable those involved in the industry to identify leading legal experts across the globe. This will be particularly valuable as programmes that infringe format rights are often broadcast outside the country of origin.


The association will develop standard form contracts for licensing a television format abroad, as well as drafting model legislation and providing a forum for discussion on how the law could be harmonised internationally. Members will also provide information on case law and legislation in their home jurisdiction through the association's Web site.


Mr Coad said: 'One of the problems with format rights is that the contracts are not drawn up by experts. If you combine the fact that this industry is worth billions of Euros worldwide - with a 22% increase in the number of format hours last year alone - and the fact that there is a degree of uncertainty about the law, then it is clear that expert lawyers will be needed to deal with these disputes.


'Through the association, lawyers will be able to find an expert in another country, and the specialists will be able to advise each other and share intelligence.'


Link: www.ifla.tv