Here is a brief glimpse of the Sapronov & Naglis media experience.
- Advised Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited in a complete restructuring of its TV channels distribution in Russia within the framework of unprecedented regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership in media companies through a complex contractual structure, including share sales, content licensing and service arrangements.
- Represented Yandex N.V., the largest Russian-language Internet search engine, in connection with an $80 million acquisition of a Web resource.
- Advised a consortium of sovereign investment funds led by Russian Direct Investments Fund in connection with a direct investment in the largest Russian online video-on-demand service, Ivi.ru, in a complex two-stage arrangement, including a direct subscription for a minority stake and a floating price option;
- Advised Yandex, Russia’s largest IT solutions company, on regulation that may apply to their new product, an investment consulting / brokerage online service, including securities regulation, personal data regulation, IP, e-commerce and online payments issues;
- Represented the TV channels division of one of the world’s leading media groups in a corporate reorganization forming part of the implementation of entirely new business strategy and corporate and contractual structure for the purposes of television channel distribution in Russia.
- Advised virtually all Hollywood “majors” on film distribution and over 20 co-production matters in Russia, including first-ever Russian productions for most.
- Have been advising major international entertainment groups virtually on a daily basis on broad range of corporate, regulatory and contractual matters pertaining to content production and distribution.
- Advised ITG, one of the leading Russian groups providing software and hardware solutions for business, in a series of matters involving software development and licensing and in financing matters ranging in average from $20 million to $50 million.
- Advised GIH Group (a Hong Kong-based start-up company that operates an online food delivery platform in frontier markets), in connection with software development, maintenance and assignment agreements with the key developers based in Russia, within the framework of representing the client in a preferred share issuance for an issue price of approximately US$2,500,000 to a consortium of investors based in Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and Lebanon.
- Successfully represented one of the world’s leading media and entertainment groups in a three-instances’ (including two appeals), yearlong case arising out of the advertising airtime sales agreement on TV channels distributed in Russia.
- Successfully represented Eurosport S.A. in a case based on a defamation and business reputation claim brought in Russia by a prominent Russian sportsperson.
- Advised a Russian supercomputer, software, device and integrated circuit manufacturer on contractual issues in connection with software and device development and licensing and in respect of a compute cluster solution, equipment and related services supply.
- Advised New Regency in a complex multi-jurisdictional film coproduction, which involved, among other things, clearance of filming in the Red Square in Moscow.
- Advised a number of major international clients (including the world’s largest media groups, pharma companies, biotechnology and agrochemical producers) on issues related to privacy and personal data protection, online activities and cross-border data transfers.
- Advised a major Russian telecom operator in a contemplated $500 million acquisition of a group of companies engaged in cable TV and IPTV business.
- Advised a major international media and entertainment group in connection with a contemplated acquisition of a Russian network of TV stations, including regulatory matters.
- Represented a Hollywood “major” on the first-ever acquisition of distribution rights and sequel rights in a Russian motion picture dilogy “Night Watch” and “Day Watch” from a prominent Russian TV network.
- Successfully represented CPP, Inc., a U.S. publishing house, in a number of Russian litigations in connection with unauthorized distribution of Russian translations of psychometric typology questionnaires in Russia.
- Advised Bank Otkritie Financial Corporationon a contractual controversy arising from the software license agreement with TIBCO Software, Inc.