Director, IP Licensing

Job Description

Director, IP Licensing
San Mateo, CA (hybrid) - will require coming into office 2x a week*

As Director, IP Licensing at Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE), you'll be at the forefront of protecting and advancing SIE's innovative intellectual property. This role is an exciting opportunity to lead and manage high-stakes IP licensing from start to finish. Reporting to the Vice President, Global Intellectual Property, you'll be joining a passionate and dynamic team of IP experts dedicated to protecting SIE's groundbreaking patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights while mitigating risks in a rapidly evolving tech and gaming landscape.

What You'll be Doing:
• Provide strategic advice and worldwide legal support to the SIE business and legal leaders on how they can navigate complex IP transactions to maximize the value of SIE's intellectual property and decrease risks.
• Collaborate with legal and business stakeholders to develop of legal strategies for licensing and transfer of technology and the associated Intellectual Property Rights.
• Draft and negotiate highly complex domestic and international inbound and outbound patent license agreements, patent sales, patent pool and standards agreements, collaboration agreements, joint development agreements and university and government collaboration agreements, while considering various related legal, business and financial issues.
• Collaborate with other Sony division IP lawyers on Group patent in-licensing offers and provide guidance and support in negotiating for SIE's interests.
• Work closely with the patent team to evaluate claim charts provided in support of in-bound licensing offers.
• Help optimize the intracompany and external IP licensing programs.
• Support legal colleagues as needed on soft IP licensing for the marketing function and the Studios.
• Be an effective business partner who is able to provide practical advice, lead negotiations, and bring complex IP deals to closure
• Evaluate, select, and supervise outside counsel; negotiate standard and alternative fee arrangements.

What We're Looking For:
• JD or LLM degree from top law school; CA bar membership preferred. At a minimum, the candidate must be qualified for and quickly acquire a Registered In-House Counsel status in California and the willingness to maintain that status during employment.
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in intellectual property transactions, with a minimum of 4 years' experience at a law firm.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex IP transactions and negotiating to completion.
• In-depth knowledge of patents, trademarks, and copyright law and familiarity with emerging trends and changes in IP licensing.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and internationally with multiple partners and to implement global strategies.
• Demonstrated experience as a solutions-oriented self-starter who provides practical advice in a manner that is understandable by non-lawyers.
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and work on any matter, no matter how big or small.
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional clients.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office, preferred.
*PlayStation offers a global hybrid office/remote working model - Flex Modes - which aims to combine the flexibility of remote working with the magic of in-person collaboration. The model is built upon the principle of working together in-person as work requires, with the freedom to work remotely otherwise.



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At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.

$279,200
- $418,800 USD

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d2w6my-18-221-221-171-42 in your application.