Senior Corporate Counsel, Patents

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is seeking an experienced patent attorney to join our patent team in Tokyo. As Senior Corporate Counsel you will work with a variety of business and legal teams to support patent matters across the full scope of PlayStation products and services. The person taking this position will join a dynamic team of patent professionals responsible for patent portfolio development and support of licensing and enforcement activities for SIE.

The Senior Corporate Counsel will be based in the Tokyo office and reporting to the Senior Director, Patents.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of SIE’s global patent portfolio across the Tokyo-based team’s product and technology areas of responsibility, including invention intake, review, and strategic portfolio assessment and management

• Oversee patent preparation and prosecution work performed by outside counsel

• Contribute to SIE’s efforts to grow its patent portfolio through workshops and other innovation sourcing activities in the Tokyo office and elsewhere as needed

• Support the Senior Director of Patents in advising SIE leadership on strategic patent-related issues as needed

• Support and training for legal and business teams in Japan on patent-related issues

• Analyze technical trends and developments in SIE's industry and apply this analysis to the strategic direction of SIE’s patent portfolio

• Coordinate and collaborate with Sony Group Company’s IP department as needed.

• Partner with team members at all levels of the global organization and develop positive and collaborative relationships with engineering, product management and legal teams to support the patent program

• Support the global patent team in refining, developing and improving SIE’s patent processes

Minimum Qualifications:

• Registered Patent Attorney in either United States (USPTO) and/or Japan (Japan Patent Attorneys Association)

• Fluent in written and spoken Japanese and English

• At least 10 years of patent law experience, with at least 2 years in an in-house legal department and at least 2 years in a law firm.

The Ideal Candidate:

• United States (USPTO) registered Patent Attorney, licensed as an attorney in the United States

• In-house legal department experience managing a large international patent portfolio for a global company

• Experience in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field

• Experience with United States patent prosecution and patent licensing practices

• Experience providing practical advice on a wide variety of legal issues in a fast-paced environment

• A track record of drafting and negotiating agreements with an emphasis on patents, in addition to experience with trademarks and copyrights

• Intellectual property licensing and litigation support experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• A dedication to client service and attention to detail

• Strong presentation skills and an ability educate others about intellectual property in engaging and impactful ways

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 or maternity, 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.