Media & Entertainment Law

Ursula Smartt is Associate Professor of Law at Northeastern University London and Boston, USA.

"Ursula Smartt’s books on Media and Entertainment Law are widely respected in academic and professional circles, offering comprehensive insights into the legal landscape of these dynamic industries. Smartt's works are known for their accessibility, depth, and clarity, making them essential reading for students, practitioners, and anyone interested in the intersection of law, media, and entertainment. Her texts are highly regarded for their ability to balance theoretical analysis with practical application, providing a solid foundation for understanding the legal challenges that media and entertainment professionals face. Smartt offers readers insight into the litigation process and the challenges faced by companies and individuals in this space, such as Prismall v Google Deepmind (2024), where she tackles the ever-evolving role of the internet and digital platforms, with a focus on issues such as privacy and data protection."Baroness Helena Kennedy KC. "I have long admired Ursula for the breadth of her interests and achievements. She is more than an academic – she applies her extensive knowledge practically as well, her legal textbooks are eminently readable: Ursula writes something it is worth reading – and this book is no exception. The sixth edition to this book has some substantial changes from the previous editions, not least because of the development of data protection and copyright law influenced by AI. The two main themes in the book remain, freedom of expression and privacy. She writes about court reporting and anonymity injunctions, such as R v Marines A-C, later disclosed as Marine A – Sgt Blackman - and two other marines who were charged with murdering a young Taleban fighter in Helmand province. I was the first instance judge in the case and ordered that the accused marines should be anonymous because of the risk of harm to them and their families by lone wolf sympathisers."His Honour Jeff Blackett, Judge Advocate General of Court Martial until 2020. "The well-structured chapters of the sixth edition of Media and Entertainment Law, its rigorous presentation, pedagogical features, and integration of recent legal developments, particularly in AI law, make this text an asset for students and researchers alike seeking a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic legal framework applying to the media sector, broadly conceived. Smartt skilfully balances academic rigour and practical relevance, ensuring that the text is engaging and informative throughout. The textbook remains an essential reference for all those with an interest in this complex and topical area of law."Dr. Alexandros Antoniou, Senior Lecturer in Media Law, University of Essex.

• 1. Freedom of expression and media freedom 2. Privacy and data protection laws 3. Defamation and reputational rights 4. Reporting legal proceedings 5. Contempt of court 6. Regulating the communications industry 7. Regulating the print media 8. Intellectual property law 9. Entertainment Law