Joey Arnel Sayson

• Free Consultation

California

Since 1996

Owner and Principal Attorney

Law Offices of Sayson & Associates

2002 - Current

Solo law practice specializing in entertainment law; copyright and trademark law; intellectual property licensing, management and rights enforcement; interactive video game production; new media transactions; internet law and practice; copyright infringement and business litigation; business entity planning, formation and operations; and commercial transactions. Representative clients include motion picture studios; animators; independent film producers; non-fiction writers; screenwriters; start-up television and motion picture production companies; a start-up online screenplay marketing website; and start-up and established video game producers. Representative entertainment law matters include art director services; directing services; investment banking and financial advisory services; licensing agent; life story rights option and purchase; literary option and purchase; merchandising license; model release; music publishing; personal manager services; producing services; production services; professional services; promotional license; publishing; radio syndication; software development and licensing; and writing services agreements. Representative litigation matters include breach of contract; copyright infringement and related actions; debt collection actions representing the debtor; fraud; petition to approve minor’s employment contract; right to privacy violations; unfair competition; unjust enrichment; and untrue or misleading advertising. Representative business entity planning, formation and operations and commercial transactions matters include buy-sell agreements; CA LLC formations; CA non-profit corporation formations; and CA partnership and joint venture formations.

Legal Consultant Business and Legal Affairs

Universal Interactive, Inc.

2001 - 2002

Negotiate and draft software development, pre-production, production services, marketing, joint promotion, licensing, submission, equipment loan, website development and consulting services agreements for interactive video games on multiple game platforms. Research and draft memoranda analyzing rights under current agreements. Create and maintain UI trademark, copyright and URL registration procedures. Serve as liaison between UI Business Affairs and Universal Studios corporate trademark counsel. Coordinate, supervise and assist outside counsel on litigation and business issues. Review UI product for legal clearance issues from idea submission through final product development. Review product packaging, advertising and promotional materials for accuracy, compliance with contractual obligations, and the protection of UI's interests. Provide legal advice in support of all UI departments.

Counsel Business and Legal Affairs

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

1999 - 2001

Negotiate and draft merchandising and promotional license agreements for produced animated and live action television and theatrical motion pictures, including Internet Guidelines for the Use of Universal Property on the Internet. Research and draft memoranda analyzing talent approval, merchandising, promotional tie-in, publishing and interactive rights for properties to be licensed. Advise sales group on rights availability during the deal-making process and creative approvals group on all matters during licensee product approvals process. Enforce the provisions of the license agreements covering the creative approvals process. Investigate infringements, send cease and desist letters if necessary and draft and negotiate settlement agreements. Send demand letters to licensees with overdue accounts and draft and negotiate settlement agreements. Coordinate, supervise and assist outside counsel in collection and infringement actions and Freedom of Information Act request. Negotiate and draft representation agreements for agents in foreign territories, strolling character license agreements for theme parks, event services agreements for trade shows and confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements for potential licensees. Draft third party approval letters for properties represented by Universal and customs release letters for licensees importing products. Review licensee press releases for accuracy. Respond to license requests.

Special Projects Attorney Legal Division

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

1998 - 1999

From February 1998 to February 1999, worked with a team of ten attorneys researching and drafting rights memoranda analyzing chain of title, distribution rights and potential Abend problems in connection with MGM’s acquisition of the Orion Pictures Corporation motion picture and television series library. Frequently, the first attorney asked to review the legal files and advise upper management on time-sensitive matters.

Legal Consultant Legal Affairs

Polygram Television

1997 - 1998

Researched and drafted distribution rights memoranda in connection with live action theatrical motion pictures and television series. Prepared data for input into a proprietary rights tracking system.

Production Counsel Business and Legal Affairs

Saban Entertainment Inc.

1997 - 1997

Negotiated and drafted writer, director and actor employment agreements, production services, location, clip license, and casting services agreements in connection with live action theatrical and television motion pictures and television series. Obtained legal clearances for featured props and set dressing. Provided legal advice and counsel for the publicity and promotions department. Production Counsel for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, BeetleBorgs, and The Addams Family television series; and Rusty: A Dog’s Tale motion picture.

Special Projects Attorney/Project Manager, Legal Division

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

1996 - 1997

From March 1996 to June 1997, worked on the Garrison class action lawsuit litigation team and the MGM Files Reorganization Project. As part of the Garrison litigation team, from March 1996 to June 1996, worked with a team of five attorneys, one paralegal and two administrative assistants reviewing talent employment agreements in connection with the pre-discovery phase of the Garrison class action lawsuit against the major studios. Responsible for identifying and redacting confidential and proprietary information outside the scope of the lawsuit. In June 1996, pursuant to the request of upper management, while awaiting class action certification, transitioned from the Garrison litigation team to the MGM Files Reorganization Project. As part of the MGM Files Reorganization Project, from June 1996 to June 1997, worked with a team of ten attorneys reviewing the legal files from the Cannon Pictures, Pathe Entertainment, MGM, and United Artists film libraries to support the reorganization and restructuring of the MGM legal files system. Supervised two administrative assistants within my own sub-team for speed and accuracy. In January 1997, received a bonus payment for exceeding performance goals set forth by upper management. On three occasions my sub-team received bonus rewards for stellar performance and productivity in competition against the other sub-teams. In addition to responsibilities on the Garrison class action lawsuit litigation team and the MGM Files Reorganization Project, assumed extra duties researching and drafting rights memoranda analyzing interactive media rights, remake and sequel rights and foreclosure rights for produced theatrical and television motion pictures; negotiating and drafting literary rights extension agreements; and reviewing participation accounting contract abstracts for accuracy. Rehired by MGM one week after sitting for the New York bar exam.

Special Projects Attorney Legal Division

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

1995 - 1995

From August 1995 to December 1995, worked on a team of eight attorneys researching and drafting rights memoranda analyzing potential Abend problems in connection with the United Artists film library. Asked by MGM to work one week prior to sitting for the California bar exam.

Whittier Law School

J.D. (1995) | Law

1992 - 1995

Activities: Asian Pacific Islander Law School Association President, 1994-95; Vice President, 1993-94; National Asian Pacific American Law School Association, Annual Conference Planning Committee 1994-95

University of Pennsylvania

B.A. (1989) | English

1985 - 1989

Activities: Penn Glee Club Vice President, 1988-89; Junior Representative, 1987-88; Secretary-Treasurer 1986-87; Penn Pipers, acapella singing group, President 1988-89

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member

2006 - Current

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Member

2006 - Current

International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA)

Member

2006 - Current

Bar of United States District Court, Central District of California

Member

2004 - Current

University of Pennsylvania Alumni Secondary School Committee

Interviewer

1998 - Current

California State Bar  # 183315

Member

1996 - Current

Penn Glee Club Graduate Club

Member

1989 - Current

Asian Pacific American Legal Center

Member

1994 - 1995