OTT Platforms & Converged Service Offerings
“Powering the Future of Digital Content, Anywhere and Everywhere”
The convergence of telecommunications and media has reshaped how content is created, delivered and monetised. Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms now dominate entertainment ecosystems, enabling video, audio, and digital services to reach global audiences without reliance on traditional broadcast infrastructure.
We provide end-to-end legal advisory for organisations building, funding, distributing or operating OTT and converged service models. Our work spans broadcasting rights, simulcast licensing, content acquisition, platform terms, and compliance with the regulatory frameworks that govern digital content distribution in Malaysia.
Whether you are a broadcaster migrating to online channels, a telecom operator bundling content with network services, or a digital platform offering on-demand and real-time experiences, we help structure legally sound, scalable and commercially aligned OTT strategies.
Our Approach
OTT services sit at the intersection of content rights, telecom regulation, user protection laws and digital platform governance. Our approach ensures clients receive holistic, forward-looking advisory that:
- Clarifies rights for online streaming, simulcast, and on-demand use
- Addresses multi-territory and multi-platform distribution models
- Ensures compliance with content regulation, censorship rules and telecom licensing
- Governs platform operations, user onboarding and service delivery
- Structures IP ownership, sublicensing, adaptation and revenue models
- Manages data protection, privacy and cybersecurity issues for digital platforms
- Supports interoperability with telecom networks and converged service bundles
We help clients reduce risk, enhance monetisation, and accelerate time-to-market for OTT and converged offerings.
Our Strengths & Capabilities
Drawing from extensive experience in broadcasting, telecommunications, intellectual property and digital platforms, our team offers:
1. Legal documentation for OTT & Digital Content Distribution
We advise on and prepare agreements covering:
- Broadcasting, simulcast and online streaming rights
- Digital content funding and development frameworks
- Content acquisition, co-production and licensing arrangements
- Multi-platform distribution (web, mobile, smart devices, IPTV, satellite)
- Revenue-sharing, subscription and advertising-based models
- Platform user terms and digital service policies
- Cloud hosting, CDN usage and data management provisions
- Compliance frameworks for content regulation and censorship
Our contracts ensure that rights are clearly defined, markets are protected, and distribution pathways are future-proof.
2. Content Rights, IP Protection & Monetisation
We help content owners, platforms and broadcasters:
- Identify and secure the rights needed for online distribution
- Draft licensing terms for reproduction, adaptation and digital transmission
- Manage music rights, performance rights and collective management issues
- Address sublicensing, exclusivity, territory and delivery format considerations
- Protect IP in cross-border or multi-jurisdictional distribution environments
Our solutions align legal compliance with commercial viability.
3. Telecom–Media Convergence Advisory
As media and telecommunications converge, we guide clients through:
- Integrated service models (bundled content + connectivity)
- Platform delivery over managed and non-managed networks
- Regulatory implications under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA)
- Licensing considerations for network service, application service and content application service providers
- Technical and governance obligations for digital broadcast and streaming
We ensure smooth alignment between telecom infrastructure and digital content delivery.
4. Regulatory Compliance for OTT Operations
Our advisory encompasses:
- MCMC guidelines for content distribution and network facility usage
- Censorship and content classification rules
- PDPA 2010 & PDPA (Amendment) Act 2024 requirements
- Consumer protection standards for digital service delivery
- Cybersecurity and online safety requirements
- Platform governance, user content controls and takedown protocols
Compliance is embedded into every part of the platform lifecycle.
Our Experience
Below are highlights of our work in OTT, digital content and converged services:
- Simulcast & Broadcasting Rights – Our lawyer advised on securing licences to broadcast, simulcast and reproduce copyrighted works across its terrestrial, digital and online platforms. This included advising on rights management, usage scope, distribution channels and compliance with content regulations.
- Funding & Development of OTT Content – Our lawyer advised on Digital Content Fund, including reviewing and amending development and funding guidelines; structuring agreements to support the creation of digital-first content and ensuring that funded works were eligible for online and OTT distribution. This strengthened Malaysia’s digital content production ecosystem and supported the growth of local streaming-ready content.
- Platform User Terms & Digital Service Delivery – Our lawyer drafted User Terms of Use and service delivery frameworks for digital platforms covering online service delivery; data usage and privacy; user obligations and platform rights and digital content access, restrictions and monetisation. Our work ensured user protection, platform integrity and robust IP safeguards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At a minimum, you will need reproduction rights; communication-to-the-public rights; broadcast/simulcast rights and adaptation and licensing rights (if modifications are needed). We help audit, secure and structure all rights required for online distribution.
Yes. Under the Communications & Multimedia Act (CMA), OTT operators may be subject to content regulation and may require certain licensing, depending on the nature of the service. We assess whether your service qualifies as Content Application Service; Application Service or Network Service.
Common risks include:
- Lack of proper distribution rights (leading to copyright disputes)
- Regulatory non-compliance under CMA
- User data mishandling (breaching PDPA)
- Platform liability issues
- Weak content moderation or takedown procedures
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
A strong legal framework reduces exposure significantly.
Telecom operators must align their content distribution with licensing obligations; content regulations; network usage rules and consumer protection guidelines. We help structure converged offerings (e.g., IPTV + broadband bundles, OTT partnerships) to ensure full compliance.
Typically, Terms of Use should address user access rights; subscription and payment terms; content usage restrictions; platform IP ownership; account management and suspension; data privacy and PDPA compliance and dispute resolution and jurisdiction. We draft platform terms tailored to your product, risk profile and business model.
Speak to us to structure the right legal framework for your OTT or converged service platform.