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UK

Christopher Gabbitas

Partner

England & Wales

020 3319 3700

christopher.gabbitas@keystonelaw.co.uk

Christopher is a commercial lawyer specialising in the creative sectors including music, television and film, branding, licensing, photography, public speaking, publishing, influencer deals, and reputation management. With 15 years of experience recording and touring globally with two-time Grammy-winning classical crossover group The King’s Singers, he brings with him practical expertise and acts as in-house legal counsel from the artist’s perspective, negotiating recording, performing and sponsorship contracts with major labels, international promoters and global brands.

Christopher acts for creative artists including musicians, screen performers, screen executives, screenwriters, authors, management agencies, film studios and record labels on all aspects of  contractual relationships including rights protection and diversifying commercialisation.  He is also at the forefront of legal advice in  navigating the emerging complexities of NFTs in music, film, television and gaming.

His recent work involves ensuring that content creators receive appropriate protection and recognition for their work, and can control its wider usage online as many businesses increasingly rely on virtual delivery platforms. In the past 12 months, Christopher has also assisted with licensing, franchising and protecting global entertainment and hospitality brands, and has experience in the growth area of manchising.

Expertise

Christopher advises on copyright, reputation management, licensing and branding, representing talent and businesses in protecting original works, managing public image and securing strategic commercial agreements across entertainment and consumer industries. 

Experience

  • Musicological and commercial legal advice as part of Keystone team bringing copyright infringement claims in the High Court in separate claims against two major international recording artists.
  • Advised a reality television star in relation to a Netflix documentary and reputation management.
  • Negotiated a brand licensing deal for a renowned international music and entertainment retailer.
  • Lead adviser to Emporia Brands Ltd, distiller and global distributor of high-end spirits to the drinks trade.

Christopher advises digital businesses and creatives on tech law, from commercial structuring and IP to AI’s evolving impact on ownership, licensing, and innovation strategies. 

Experience

  • Commercial and corporate structuring documentation for various media start-up companies in the publishing and entertainment sectors.
  • Concluded the successful sale of premier travel website Theculturetrip.com to US News & World Report in a multimillion-pound deal, with key involvement in the IP implications and documentation drafting and support.
  • Advising corporate entities in the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence and its implications to rights-holders and content creators, including musicians and technology companies.

Christopher advises artists at every career stage on performance, recording, and touring agreements, empowering them through robust legal frameworks that protect creative, commercial, and social impact ventures.

Experience

  • Legal adviser for Tracks 4 Change, a youth enfranchisement project run by Rob da Bank, Maisie Williams and Lizzie Ball including image rights, recording agreement, T&C and performance agreement with Bestival.
  • Advised emerging artists in negotiations with Britain’s Got Talent and other reality television opportunities, and assisted classical/crossover artists with performance, recording and management agreements.

Christopher advises global media clients including photographers, producers and authors on image rights, talent and production deals and publishing agreements, safeguarding creative value across photography, film, television and publishing industries.

Experience

  • General counsel for international photography agency LGA Management, advising on all aspects of commercial relationships with photographers, makeup artists, agencies and advertising houses including in relation to image rights, endorsements, shoot engagements and general T&C.
  • General advice to FlyNet Media including image rights, merchandising and management deal with television personality Ant Middleton, and Exclusivity Contract with Channel 4.
  • Advising independent authors and artists in relation to publishing contracts, television option agreements, and podcast deals.

Christopher qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2019, he worked at the following firms:

  • Clintons
  • Stephenson Harwood