Corporate Counsel, IP Enforcement

ChIPs Network Inc; San Mateo (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 315,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Job summary

Sony Interactive Entertainment seeks an experienced Corporate Counsel to join its IP Enforcement team in San Mateo. You will lead strategic enforcement, advise on copyright/design protections, and coordinate with global IP colleagues to safeguard PlayStation IP worldwide.

The role blends contentious and advisory work, requiring strong negotiation, project management, and clear communication. This hybrid role offers a comprehensive benefits package and a base pay range discussed in the posting.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience as in-house or outside counsel handling intellectual property enforcement.
• Strong knowledge of copyright law and related IP protections.
• Experience with brand protection on e-commerce and social platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support enforcement initiatives, including investigations and litigation strategies.
• Manage IP casework for the Americas, including DMCA takedowns and platform complaints.
• Coordinate with global IP teams and business units across regions.
• Draft, review, and advise on policies and trainings for junior staff.
• Prepare quarterly enforcement reports with data-driven insights.

Skills

Copyright law

IP enforcement

Trademark knowledge

Negotiation

Project management

Communication skills

Education

J.D. degree from ABA accredited law school

Bar admission in good standing (US state)

Job description

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting‑edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

Corporate Counsel, Intellectual Property Enforcement

San Mateo, CA (hybrid, 2x/week in office) *

Sony Interactive Entertainment's Legal, Public Policy & ESG team wants a motivated attorney to join its award‑winning IP practice. As Corporate Counsel, through a mix of contentious and advisory work you will help safeguard authentic PlayStation products worldwide.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Support Senior Counsel on strategic enforcement activities, such as targeted investigations, raids, and litigations within China and elsewhere targeting counterfeiters, progressing design invalidation actions against third party registrations which encroach on SIE's distinctive products, and assisting on other larger projects on an as needed basis.
• Manage enforcement efforts in the Americas, including Customs programs, developing in‑country enforcement strategies, reviewing Schedule A litigation documents and submissions, coordination with local counsel and assessing performance, and providing local legal support to our paralegal team.
• Manage US IP casework related to merchandise working closely with the IP litigation and Brands teams.
• Draft, review, and approve DMCA takedowns, and online platform‑specific IP complaints (Amazon, eBay, Mercado Libre, Meta, TikTok, and others), and resolve challenges to takedown requests involving US‑based hosting services and ISPs.
• Identify repeat or large‑scale infringers for referral to law enforcement or litigation.
• Partner with global IP colleagues (Litigation, Brands, Patents) and business units across the Americas, UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia to support complex enforcement matters.
• Stay updated on relevant case law and regulatory developments, such as safe harbor provisions, intermediary liability, and copyright law especially in the U.S. and Latin America.
• Represent SIE in Americas‑based industry groups and contribute to policy discussions and draft legislation reviews.
• Assist with developing policies, procedures, and guidelines, and provide training to junior team members and business units. .
• Prepare quarterly enforcement reports, bringing to bear data analytics to highlight trends, successes, risks, and opportunities for program improvements in our Americas region.

What We’re Looking For

• At least 5 years of experience as either in‑house counsel and/or outside counsel dealing with contentious soft IP matters (trademark, design, and copyright), with a minimum of 3 years of experience at a law firm.
• Educational Background: J.D. degree from ABA accredited law school (or foreign equivalent) with membership in good standing in a US state bar.
• Extensive knowledge of copyright law is particularly desirable, with experience in areas such as advising on copyright‑related AI issues, game cloning, circumvention of technical protection measures. Familiarity with IP enforcement in China is helpful, but it is not a prerequisite.
• A genuine interest in technology (including AI), video games, and the broader entertainment industry.
• Familiarity with brand protection programs on e‑commerce/social media platforms and online takedown processes.
• Experience of handling external vendors, including budget setting, exacting management of cost budgeting and adherence to budgets, and vendor benchmark setting and performance review.
• Current member admitted to and in good standing with California state bar.
• Strong project management skills and ability to handle competing priorities independently.
• Excellent oral and written communication and negotiation skills, outstanding integrity, good judgment, strong analytical skills, and a positive outlook.
• A proven track record of professional growth and a history of driving business impact through excellent legal support.
• Bring an attitude that values different perspectives and experiences and actively cultivate inclusivity and collaboration in your daily work.
• Spanish language proficiency would be a plus!

*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.

#LI-BR1

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.

$209,800 - $314,600 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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.

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