Profile
Widely considered one of the primary architects of the modern digital music business, Bobby Rosenbloum, Chairman of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Entertainment & Media Practice, has overseen and advised on deals that have generated billions of dollars in value for the global music industry. In the last three decades, the ways in which music is produced, delivered, and consumed have evolved quickly and dramatically. Bobby is at the forefront of this trend and has developed a cutting edge legal practice at the intersection of music and technology, counselling more than 250 businesses, including Fortune 500 companies (many in the Fortune 100) and prominent start-ups on their global digital media strategies. Few, if any, music industry executives have guided such an expansive array of companies revolutionizing the music industry. In his role as leader of our group of more than 75 entertainment and media attorneys at Greenberg Traurig, Bobby oversees an experienced, international, multidisciplinary team that provides clients with dedicated legal counsel needed to thrive in today’s multidisciplinary, multimedia entertainment marketplace. In his own practice, he focuses on the negotiation of complex content agreements with record companies, music publishers, performing rights organizations, movie studios, and TV networks, while also providing strategic counsel to leading players in the digital entertainment industry. Bobby’s clients include companies in the streaming media, fitness, social media, branded-product, metaverse, NFT, and gaming spaces, among many others.
Concentrations
- Negotiation of complex content agreements with record companies, music publishing companies, music publishing rights organizations, motion picture studios, television networks, and various independent content providers and aggregators, and related strategic counseling (including with respect to electronic sell-through, subscription, streaming, ad-supported, mobile and other cutting-edge business models)
- Negotiation of all varieties of agreements with musical composition performance rights organizations (e.g., ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) and mechanical licensing organizations (e.g., The Harry Fox Agency) as well as the coordination of related international rights clearance strategies with foreign rights holders and collectives
- Advising clients with respect to all aspects of new media business models, including negotiation strategy, legal exposure and risk avoidance, as well as comprehensive strategic counseling and consulting
- Representation of recording artists, songwriters, and music producers in all areas including recording agreements, publishing agreements, producer agreements, and other new media agreements
- Negotiation of sponsorship, endorsement and license agreements in the entertainment sector
- Copyright counseling and guidance in the digital media space, including analysis of complex rights licensing issues associated with cutting-edge business models
- General intellectual property counseling and prosecution (including copyright, trademark and unfair competition), with a particular focus on businesses operating in the entertainment and media space
- Representation of recording artists, producers, record labels, and other entities in connection with typical music industry transactions and agreements
- Trademark and unfair competition counseling, prosecution and litigation strategy
- Copyright counseling, prosecution and litigation
- Internet web site and software development agreements
- Counseling regarding overall new media strategies
Capabilities
Experience
- Primary counsel to dozens of digital media companies and service providers in the online and mobile space in connection with all aspects of their activities in the entertainment industry.
- Primary intellectual property counsel to dozens of recording artists, record companies and film companies in connection with general intellectual property matters, including trademark counseling and prosecution, copyright protection and due diligence matters.
- Prepared and negotiated recording artist agreements, producer agreements and other music industry agreements on behalf of internationally recognized artists and record labels.
- Prepared and negotiated a wide variety of intellectual property licensing and merchandising agreements in the entertainment, software and technology fields.
- Served as Deputy General Counsel of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and Legal Counsel of the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, overviewing all entertainment, transactional and intellectual property matters.
- Represented the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in nationally followed copyright litigation against major broadcasting company regarding infringement of Dr. King's copyright in the historic "I Have a Dream" speech.
Recognition & Leadership
- Team Member, a Law360 “Media & Entertainment Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
- Listed, Billboard, "Impact List," 2020
- Listed, World Trademark Review, "WTR 1000," 2011-2013 and 2016-2024
- Ranked in Georgia, General Trademarks, 2013 and 2016-2019, 2021-2024
- Ranked in Georgia, Broad Expertise across Litigation, Prosecution and Transactional Matters, 2012
- Ranked in Rest of USA, Non-Contentious, 2011
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
- Copyright Law, Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, Entertainment Law - Music; Litigation - Intellectual Property; Trademark Law, 2005-2025
- Communications Law, 2024
- "Lawyer of the Year," Entertainment Law - Music, Atlanta, 2017, 2023, and 2025
- "Lawyer of the Year," Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, Atlanta, 2014 and 2023-2024
- "Lawyer of the Year," Trademark Law - Atlanta, 2017
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Georgia Super Lawyers, 2004-2022
- Listed, Variety, "Legal Impact Report," 2013, 2016-2018, and 2020-2024
- Listed, Variety, "Dealmakers Impact Report," 2023
- Listed, The Hollywood Reporter, "Power Lawyers: Top 100 Attorneys List," 2011, 2014-2016, 2020-2021, 2023
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2003-2024
- Listed, Managing IP Magazine's World IP Handbook and Survey, “IP Stars: Atlanta Trademark Stars and Copyright Stars,” 2021-2024
- Listed, Billboard magazine, "Top Music Lawyers," 2015-2024
- Listed, Euromoney's Expert Guides, "Best of the Best," Media, 2019
- Listed, Variety, Dealmakers Impact Report, 2012, 2014, 2018-2020
- Listed, Georgia Trend magazine, "Legal Elite," 2008, 2010-2013, 2015-2017 and 2019
- Listed, Variety, "Dealmakers Elite: New York," 2017-2018
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2008, 2011-2012, 2016, and 2024
- Named, "Top 100 Lawyers in Georgia," 2012-2015
- Named, The Best Lawyers in America, "Atlanta Entertainment Law - Music Lawyer of the Year," 2012
- Team Member, a U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Law Firm of the Year," Entertainment Law - Music, 2011-2012
- Recommended, PLC Which Lawyer?, 2009
- Named, CSC Trademark Insider Annual Reports, "Top 50 Trademark Attorneys in the United States," 2003-2008
- Nominated, Guide to the World's Leading Technology, Media & Telecommunications Lawyers, "Leading Lawyer in Media," 3rd Edition
- Deputy General Counsel, The Recording Academy
- Executive Committee Member, GRAMMY Foundation Entertainment Law Initiative, 2012-2013
- Associate Member, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences
- Governing Committee Member, American Bar Association, Sports and Entertainment Law Forum
- Member, State Bar of Georgia, Entertainment and Sports Law Section
- Past Chairman, Southeastern Chapter of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.
Credentials
Education
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J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1994
- Instructor, Legal Research and Writing
- Instructor, Undergraduate Course in Legal History
- Member, Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law
- Member, International Law Journal
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B.A., summa cum laude, Duke University, 1991
- Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholar
- Duke University Faculty Scholar
- Phi Beta Kappa
- USA TODAY All-American Academic Team
- Member, Undergraduate Judicial Board
Admissions
- Georgia