Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
BOOK REVIEW
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW
Fifth Edition
By Ursula Smartt
ISBN: 978 1 032 16871 5
Routledge Taylor & Francis Group
routledge.com
‘ANYTHING THAT URSULA WRITES IS WORTH READING’ SAYS HH JEFF BLACKETT : AN AUTHORITATIVE AND DETAILED TEXT ON A KEY AREA OF LAW -- NOW IN A NEW FIFTH EDITION FOR 2033
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers and Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”
Freedom of the press, or the right to privacy? Wherever you (or your clients) stand on this issue, this new law text, now in its fifth edition by well-known author Ursula Smartt, provides in precise detail, a rigorous and highly readable analysis of what has now become a key area of law.
Copiously and painstakingly researched (note the nine-page bibliography), this is a law text with an un-putdownable quality, as ‘media and entertainment law’ now obviously encompasses the Internet and all forms of social media.
The subject is therefore undeniably fascinating, p with legal ramifications that will ultimately affect everyone who has ever watched TV, read a newspaper, viewed streaming services, or accessed the Internet -- and latterly, have been affected, or influenced by the all-pervasive influence of social media, which for good or ill, (all too often ill) has affected the lives, directly or indirectly, of billions worldwide.
As Baroness Helena Kennedy KC has observed, ‘Ursula’s style of writing is extremely readable and yet legally accurate, as every relevant case has been studied in detail, from original court reports.’
And as senior lecturer in Media Law, University of Lincoln, Barry Turner, points out ‘the intellectual property law chapters are detailed, and information filled -- in what is a remarkable detailed book.’ The point made here is that this is an important reference for intellectual property and media lawyers alike.
‘And...’ says Adrienne Page KC, ‘the contents page... shows the sheer scale of the task for an academic author covering the modern-day spectrum of activity in this field of law.’
Certainly, the book is overwhelmingly a valuable tool for researchers, containing as it does, tables of cases, of UK legislation, and of treaties and international legislation; the latter of which further emphasizes the book’s international outlook and orientation.
Also note that each chapter ends with a ‘further reading’ section -- certainly an encouragement for students as well as lawyers and other interested parties to undertake further research.
Note too, the 17-page Glossary of Antonyms and Legal Terms, which anyone in any field of law would find useful, not to mention journalists, media consultants and advertising and PR practitioners. This is not a mere list of ‘terms and acronyms. Any and all of the terms listed are defined extensively and in detail, with some of the definitions extending to at least half a page.
As the publishers Routledge Taylor & Francis Group explain, the book is demonstratively expansive in its coverage of the law across the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the EU.
The publication date of the fifth edition is cited as 30th November 2022.
BOOK REVIEW
MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW
Fifth Edition
By Ursula Smartt
ISBN: 978 1 032 16871 5
Routledge Taylor & Francis Group
routledge.com
‘ANYTHING THAT URSULA WRITES IS WORTH READING’ SAYS HH JEFF BLACKETT : AN AUTHORITATIVE AND DETAILED TEXT ON A KEY AREA OF LAW -- NOW IN A NEW FIFTH EDITION FOR 2033
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers and Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”
Freedom of the press, or the right to privacy? Wherever you (or your clients) stand on this issue, this new law text, now in its fifth edition by well-known author Ursula Smartt, provides in precise detail, a rigorous and highly readable analysis of what has now become a key area of law.
Copiously and painstakingly researched (note the nine-page bibliography), this is a law text with an un-putdownable quality, as ‘media and entertainment law’ now obviously encompasses the Internet and all forms of social media.
The subject is therefore undeniably fascinating, p with legal ramifications that will ultimately affect everyone who has ever watched TV, read a newspaper, viewed streaming services, or accessed the Internet -- and latterly, have been affected, or influenced by the all-pervasive influence of social media, which for good or ill, (all too often ill) has affected the lives, directly or indirectly, of billions worldwide.
As Baroness Helena Kennedy KC has observed, ‘Ursula’s style of writing is extremely readable and yet legally accurate, as every relevant case has been studied in detail, from original court reports.’
And as senior lecturer in Media Law, University of Lincoln, Barry Turner, points out ‘the intellectual property law chapters are detailed, and information filled -- in what is a remarkable detailed book.’ The point made here is that this is an important reference for intellectual property and media lawyers alike.
‘And...’ says Adrienne Page KC, ‘the contents page... shows the sheer scale of the task for an academic author covering the modern-day spectrum of activity in this field of law.’
Certainly, the book is overwhelmingly a valuable tool for researchers, containing as it does, tables of cases, of UK legislation, and of treaties and international legislation; the latter of which further emphasizes the book’s international outlook and orientation.
Also note that each chapter ends with a ‘further reading’ section -- certainly an encouragement for students as well as lawyers and other interested parties to undertake further research.
Note too, the 17-page Glossary of Antonyms and Legal Terms, which anyone in any field of law would find useful, not to mention journalists, media consultants and advertising and PR practitioners. This is not a mere list of ‘terms and acronyms. Any and all of the terms listed are defined extensively and in detail, with some of the definitions extending to at least half a page.
As the publishers Routledge Taylor & Francis Group explain, the book is demonstratively expansive in its coverage of the law across the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the EU.
The publication date of the fifth edition is cited as 30th November 2022.
