Overview
Sid Fohrman is a partner in the Entertainment and Media practice and chair of the Music Industry practice at Paul Hastings. With a focus on the intersection of technology, entertainment and music M&A, Sid’s diverse clients include public and private companies, talent, public figures and entrepreneurs in matters ranging from music, interactive and location-based entertainment, and podcasting to fitness, sports and live events.
Sid is a nationally recognized music lawyer with broad experience representing global media companies and prominent content creators in complex corporate and entertainment transactions. His work includes recording and music publishing; the purchase, sale and financing of music catalogs; and podcasting and content licensing agreements, as well as composer agreements for film and television; live event promoter and production agreements; and performance agreements relating to music festivals and live concerts.
A frequent speaker and writer on new issues in music and entertainment, including the impact and utility of artificial intelligence, esports, live events and blockchain technology, Sid advises on new media business models and joint ventures. He also handles content and licensing deals involving technology and new media exploitation; endorsement and sponsorship arrangements; publishing, copyright and trademark transactions; and live event production, labor, trade and venue matters.
Sid is a former commercial litigator with extensive experience representing public and private companies in diverse complex and high-stakes disputes, and he continues to represent clients in music copyright disputes.
Recognitions
- Billboard, Top Music Lawyers, 2019-2024
- Variety
- Legal Impact Report, 2019, 2022-2023
- Dealmakers Impact Report, 2022-2023
- Legal 500 U.S., Recommended Lawyer, Media, Technology and Telecoms - Media and Entertainment: Transactional, 2019-2021, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America, Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, 2021-2022
- Association of Corporate Counsel, Rising Star
Representations
Sid has represented:
- Represented Create Music Group in its strategic acquisition of the catalog of electronic music artist and producer Deadmau5 and his label, Mau5trap. The deal is valued at more than $55 million and includes the sound recording and publishing copyrights of more than 4,000 songs in total. The partnership also encompasses a joint venture to release future recordings by Deadmau5 and Mau5trap. CMG acquired the rights to implement a multi-platform strategy, including remastering and re-releasing key catalog assets, launching exclusive new content and “introducing the Mau5trap legacy to new generations of fans.” The collaboration also provides for licensing opportunities, brand partnerships and a continued focus on emerging media such as gaming, VR and live streaming to drive additional revenue streams for the catalog.
- Multi-Grammy award-winning music producer/mixer, Manny Marroquin, on 50+ mixing agreements for many of the biggest pop, hip-hop and rock records.me of its largest and most complex debt and asset transactions including lead singer and founding member of one of history’s biggest rock bands and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee on a complex catalog acquisition and global joint venture partnership related to recorded music, branding and digital media projects;
- Numerous social and technology platforms and brands, including, 101 Studios (Yellowstone franchise, Tulsa King, Mayor of Kingstown), Pokémon, TikTok, Foot Locker and Match Group, on a wide range of music and non-music matters and initiatives, including, audio-visual content production and distribution; live events; virtual and augmented reality; music licensing and distribution; merchandising and artificial intelligence; and building out a full-service music platform for one of the largest grossing entertainment brands of all-time.
- Notable music clients such as BMG, HYBE America, Match Group (Tinder), Warburg Pincus, 101 Studios, the band Kiss and Banc of California, on a variety of music endeavors.
- Deals for clients involving Lady Gaga, David Bowie Estate, Katy Perry, Marcus Mumford, Megan Thee Stallion and Taylor Swift.
- Several global live events, including the Super Bowl halftime shows and opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Matters may have been handled prior to joining Paul Hastings.