Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs/IP - DACH

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

With highly successful German series and films such as “Dear Child (Liebes Kind)”, “Kaulitz & Kaulitz” and “All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen Nichts Neues)” Netflix continues to establish its presence in Germany and seeks an experienced intellectual property lawyer to provide legal support for Netflix’s growing content slate across German-speaking Europe.  

Based in our Berlin office, the role is on the Business & Legal Affairs (BALA) / IP team and will be focused on supporting Netflix´ original scripted series, non-fiction and film content produced in German language. The candidate will have a broad scope and assist in scaling our German-language content operations, working alongside creative, business and legal partners to advise on all matters related to intellectual property and production clearance issues. 

You will identify and manage IP-related risks in content, including copyright, defamation and similar (e.g. around true crime), and align with relevant stakeholders. You will work alongside the business and legal affairs teams to acquire and develop IP (e.g. book adaptations), guiding it through production and distribution. This includes conducting chain-of -title researches, advising on title and production clearance, IP enforcement, pre-litigation claim defence and collaborating with our litigation team. 

As part of the BALA Team you will also structure and negotiate content development and production agreements and harmonize Netflix´ objectives within production and legal frameworks in Germany. In doing so, the candidate will be responsible for understanding the legal landscape and production customs, and executing on Netflix’s strategy as necessary to develop and produce local content for Netflix’s global streaming platform. 

The role will report to the Sr. Director Business & Legal Affairs DACH, based in Berlin. 

REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will be admitted to practice law in Germany, and has broad-based media/entertainment industry experience in Germany with the legal and business aspects of production. 

• Fluency in English and native German are essential requirements for this role.

• In-depth knowledge of German IP law, media, and personality rights covering copyright, moral rights, trademarks, fair dealing, rights of publicity/privacy, defamation, and freedom of speech. 

• Production clearance experience in film, television and/or similar. 

• Experience with deal making and production legal issues in the German Film/TV marketplace

• Proven ability to manage and resolve IP disputes, handle complex copyright transactions and chain of title review, providing concise and pragmatic, business-minded solutions. 

• Ability to work proactively, independently and reliably with a solution oriented mindset, pivoting and prioritising as necessary when several, simultaneous matters needing attention.

• Strong communication skills, candor, adaptable communication and negotiation style.

• Analytical and strategic capabilities and judgment.

• Curiosity and willingness to tackle matters outside their area of expertise.

• Ability to work proactively, independently and reliably potentially in last-minute situations or under tight time frames in a fast‐paced environment.

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in teams and cross‐functionally. 

• Think pragmatically and be solution-oriented and able to lean into (smart) risks, if necessary. 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.