The Intellectual Property team is seeking a Counsel to work in its TRA©K-IP department. TRA©K-IP is responsible for analysis of SPE’s distribution, ancillary, and remake/sequel rights in its entertainment properties, serves as SPE’s subject matter experts regarding complicated chain of title matters and certain other complex copyright issues, and handles copyright administration.  Reporting to a senior lawyer in the department, the Counsel will focus on remake/sequel and ancillary rights research and analysis, communicating with the relevant SPE divisions via memos, emails and input into relevant company databases. The Counsel also will perform any/all other aspects of the department’s work, as needed.

SPE’s TRA©K-IP Group serves business partners across SPE’s divisions, including production, acquisitions, consumer products, and distribution divisions, worldwide. 

Responsibilities include:  

• Advising SPE’s various production divisions regarding SPE’s rights to produce derivative productions based on its owned properties and exploit associated ancillary rights. Requires (a) researching and analyzing all relevant agreements, (b) thorough understanding of entertainment deals, copyright issues (including chain of title and statutory termination/reversion), and WGA separated rights issues, and (c) drafting a thorough and client-friendly communication summarizing the rights, obligations, and any legal issues. 
• Participating in requirements-gathering sessions with SPE’s Information Technology department regarding new functionality in SPE’s rights application(s).
• Inputting, as needed, into SPE’s rights application(s).
• Advising on proper interpretation of many types of entertainment contracts, including literary property purchase agreements, co-financing and distribution agreements, network license agreements, and talent agreements.
• Providing additional legal guidance to the team and business partners, as needed, including on issues related to chain of title, copyright registrations and recordations, distribution rights, and ancillary rights.

Qualifications:

• Law degree
• Member in good standing of the CA Bar
• Five years of experience practicing law; must include experience in copyright law and/or with entertainment contracts; experience with chain of title issues a plus
• Experience working with complex databases (including for purposes of research, analysis, and date entry) strongly preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent analytical and issue-spotting skills
• Excellent legal and business judgment
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities

The anticipated base salary for this position is $140,000-$170,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

Sony Pictures does not allow audio recording, video recording or use of AI note-taking tools during interviews. Please be aware these tools may be enabled as a default and can be difficult to disable once the interview has started, so we recommend you check your device and disable these tools prior to the start of your interview. If recording or the use of the tools occurs during the interview and cannot be promptly turned off or disabled, the interviewer may end the interview.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at [email protected].