Asialaw Profiles
The Guide to the legal markets of the Asia-Pacific

Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co is regarded as “the firm to beat” by competitors. The IT, Telco & Media practice at the firm is praised by clients, with the firm’s reputation for providing “exemplary end-to-end service” a consistent reason for clients’ continued support. A team consisting of Amit Kumar, Saurav Kumar and Ambarish acted for Astro All Asia Networks in a transaction involving a joint venture with chef Sanjeev Kapoor. This was called Trumeric Vision and was for the purposes of setting up a 24 hour food channel. This matter was completed in January 2011 and valued at US$27 million. The firm advises other notable clients such as the RTL Group, Bertlesmann and South Asia Entertainment Holdings.

“One cannot have an IT, Telco & Media ranking without considering AZB & Partners in the top tier,” says a peer. Clients and market observers attest to the firm’s supremacy in this area of practice, with one client praising the firm for its “innovation and technical solidness”. A highlight for the firm was its work for Wireless Business Services, a subsidiary of client Qualcomm, on its purchase of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum in India via auction from the Department of Telecommunications. The transaction was led by partner Vishnu Jerome, and was valued at US$1 billion. “This is a good firm,” says one client, “and we would rate it among the top tier along with all the other big names.”

“Nishith Desai Associates is top of the market for IT, Telco & Media work. The firm has set the standard for the rest of us to follow,” says one competitor. The firm consolidates its position in the top tier this year, with clients tireless in their praise and support for the firm’s prowess. One client says: “The firm has maintained a compact practice that goes above and beyond for its clients. The lawyers always reply in a timely fashion.” The firm advised Reliance Broadcast Network in its deal with CBS Studios International to operate English, Hindi and regional television channels. This matter was completed in August 2010 and was valued at US$100 million.

“J Sagar Associates has a balanced and pan India presence. The lawyers there are all very good,” says a peer. The IT, Telco & Media practice at the firm is also lauded by clients, with one noting: “The lawyers at the firm provide advice that is dependable and pragmatic. They have a realistic view and interpret statutes on a consistent basis.” The firm advised Accenture Services on regulatory matters for the registration of service providers, as well as other telecom issues including: infrastructure sharing, telecom resources from service providers, and cryptography. Other esteemed clients include Aircel, Boeing, RaySat and ZTE Telecom.

Competitors recommend Seth Dua & Associates for its “niche and in depth IT, Telco & Media” practice. The firm advises a range of clients on matters in this area, with international clients such as Orange-France Telecom and Verizon Business, and domestic clients including Wipro and Vodafone Essar. A highlight matter for the firm in the last year is its continuing representation of Seacom in work relating to the client’s construction of a 15,000 km submarine cable system that would connect South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya to India. This project is valued at US$300 billion, and the firm’s team was led by partners Atul Dua, Rahul Goel and Anu Monga.

FoxMandal Little is a full service firm with offices across India. Its IT, Telco & Media practice has been heavily involved with work in gaming law in the last year. With clients such as William Hill Online, Sportingbet, Cube, Mangas Gaming, StanJames and IGA, the firm has extensive experience in the online gambling market. A notable transaction for the firm was advising William Hill Online in a proposed joint venture to create an online gaming website.

Peers and clients recommend Khaitan & Co for its ability in the IT, Telco & Media market. Partner Asim Abbas is recommended by clients as a “stand out performer in the IT field”. The firm has reinforced its full service profile in the last year, with several partner hires across the board. A highlight for the firm last year was its work acting for Zensar Technologies to acquire Akibia from PSI Holding.

Link Legal advised IME Networks, which is a subsidiary of Den Networks, regarding its joint venture with BFTV. The 75:25 venture was set up to broadcast the BabyFirst channel in the cable TV market in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The firm advises Den Networks on a regular basis, and some other recent work includes assisting the client in work concerning the downlink of content from BFTV.

“Luthra & Luthra has tremendous capacity. For the matter we instructed it on, the firm was able to mobilise resources at a short notice across over 20 districts,” says one client. “Very few firms in India would be able to handle work of this magnitude with such efficiency,” says one client. The firm advised PVR on its alliance with IMAX, which involved striking a balance between parties for both the commercial objectives as well as the maintenance contract.

Trilegal has developed its reputation as a one stop shop in recent years, and its IT, Telco and Media practice has garnered substantial praise and support from the market. The firm provides advice to clients such as Cisco Systems, Telenor and British Telecom India. It participated in the drafting of the Unique Identification Authority Bill, 2010, which is part of the country’s drive to address outstanding problems such as non transparent elections and widespread corruption. Partner Rahul Matthan led the team in this matter.

Titus & Co

Titus & Co recently advised Red Bull regarding allegations before the Advertising Standard Council of India against the client’s TV commercial for Red Bull Energy drink. The firm successfully secured the continuation of the commercial. Partners Abhixit Singh and Achint Singh Gyani led the team in this case.