Christopher Gabbitas

Christopher advises innovative businesses on IP strategy, valuation, and monetisation, helping music tech and digital platforms leverage their intellectual property for investment, growth, and successful exits.

• Advised on IP matters in corporate valuation services.
• Advised on IP matters in investment fundraising and preparation for sale for companies in music tech, data services, and app/web development sectors.

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.

• Advised on musicological and commercial matters as part of a Keystone team on the bringing of 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.

• Drafted and advised on 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.
• Advised corporate entities in the emerging field of AI and its implications to rights-holders and content creators, including musicians and technology companies.
• Advised SMEs in relation to funding rounds, sale, and debt and equity finance.
• Structured on- and off-shore funds in the commercial IP sector, including drafting of requisite documentation and advising on inbound investment and inter-company relations.

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.

• 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&Cs, 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.
• Legal adviser to many emerging British country artists such as Kezia Gill, now signed to Sony Records.
• Continuing to advise Arabic artists on registering, administering, and commercialising their catalogues across global DSPs, preventing unauthorised usage and maximising revenue streams.

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.

• 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&Cs.
• General advice to Fame FlyNet Media (now part of Shutterstock) including image rights, merchandising, and management deal with television personality Ant Middleton, and exclusivity contract with Channel 4.
• Advised in relation to photography assets created as part of the Coronation of King Charles III and associated formal portraits.
• Advising independent authors and artists in relation to publishing contracts, television option agreements, and podcast deals.

Christopher advises global artists on digital and technology matters, including structuring and formation, distribution and administration, debt and equity financing, and preparing for sale.

• Negotiated digital distribution agreements for global artists with distribution and administration services, and supervised commercialisation and revenue streams.
• Advised tech funds on initial structuring and formation, inbound investment, and document drafting.
• Acted for a number of tech-based SMEs in relation to debt and equity financing, reverse due diligence, and preparation for ultimate sale.

Christopher advises SMEs, partnerships, sole traders, and charities on general commercial contracts, data protection, governance, and disputes.

• Acted as General Counsel for SMEs and charities, as required within existing client relationships.
• Advised SMEs, partnerships, and sole traders in relation to commercial contracts for services or goods, governance documents, policies, GDPR, and all other aspects of general commercial activity.
• Negotiated settlements in relation to low- and mid-value commercial disputes.