Sports / Entertainment
We provide high-quality, comprehensive legal services for expanding the Japanese sports (e-sports) and entertainment business both domestically and internationally.
With the global rise of the sports and entertainment business, including e-sports, players, athletes, and artists are active across national borders. In addition, we are taking on the challenge of expanding overseas and forming partnerships with foreign companies for sports teams, music organizations, and related companies.
We provide a wide range of legal services related to sports and entertainment in Japan and abroad, including representation of players, athletes, and artists; providing legal support for professional teams and organizations; negotiation of sponsorships and merchandising; protection of creators’ intellectual property rights; handling of various intellectual property infringements and disputes; assistance in establishing governance for companies and organizations, by utilizing a team of lawyers and experts in the sports and entertainment business through our network of local offices and affiliated firms throughout Asia.
1 Sports Law (including e-sports)
(1) For Sports-Related Companies, Teams and Associations
- Support for intellectual property rights, including portrait rights, copyrights, trademarks, design rights, and patents, and drafting of contracts
- Support for overseas expansion and M&A
- Measures against defamation of players and coaches
- Compliance training (for coaches, players, and staff)
- Preparation and checking of various contracts and agreements
- Establishment of governance and compliance systems
- Support for the creation of guidelines
- Support for the establishment and operation of consultation offices
- Consultation related to the operation of gyms and sports centers
- Dealing with complaints, scandals, and mass media
- Handling disputes related to the selection of representative athletes, disciplinary actions, termination of athlete contracts, doping violations, sports accidents, etc.
(2) For Players and Athletes
- Support for intellectual property rights, including portrait rights, copyrights, trademarks, design rights, and patents; drafting of contracts
- Support for overseas expansion and visa application
- Review and representation of various contracts
- Support for portrait rights, copyrights, trademarks, and design rights
- Consultation on a second career
- Dealing with the media
- Dealing with social media, slander and libel, etc.
- Legal troubles in private life
- Handling disputes related to the selection of representative athletes, disciplinary actions, termination of athlete contracts, doping violations, sports accidents, etc.
2 Entertainment Law
(1) For Entertainment Agencies, Advertising Companies, Production Companies, and Other Companies
- Support for intellectual property rights, including portrait rights, copyrights, trademarks, design rights, and patents, and drafting of contracts
- Support for overseas expansion and M&A
- Measures against slander and libel
- Compliance training (for creators and staff)
- Preparation and checking of various contracts and agreements
- Establishment of governance and compliance systems
- Support for the establishment and operation of consultation offices
- Dealing with complaints, scandals, and mass media
- Handling of various dispute resolutions
(2) For Creators
- Support for intellectual property rights, including portrait rights, copyrights, trademarks, design rights, and patents; drafting of contracts
- Support for overseas expansion and visa application
- Review and representation of various contracts
- Dealing with financial problems
- Dealing with harassment problems
- Dealing with problems with fans
- Dealing with the media
- Dealing with social media, slander and libel, etc.
- Legal troubles in private life
- Handling of various dispute resolutions