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Kenneth Williams is a highly skilled and dedicated attorney with expertise in media, technology, and video games. With over 3,520 LinkedIn connections, they have built a strong network in their field. In their current role as Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Crunchyroll, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Kenneth oversees and directs all legal matters for Crunchyroll Games. They are responsible for drafting and negotiating international game publishing agreements, complex licensing agreements for streaming, and downstream distribution of content.
Throughout their career, Kenneth has demonstrated their ability to solve problems and create clear paths for success. They have extensive experience in areas such as content licensing, intellectual property, software licensing, financing, and marketing. Additionally, Kenneth has gained recognition in the video game industry for being the first person to find a magic item while playing the game Diablo. Their expertise and passion make them a valuable asset to any company seeking legal counsel and strategic guidance.
More about this expert
- Full name
- Kenneth Williams
- Location
- San Francisco, California, United States
- Title
- Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs
- Company
- Crunchyroll (since 2017)
- Industry
- Entertainment Providers
- LinkedIn profile
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-williams-0760b03/
- LinkedIn Connections
- 3520
- Summary
- I am a dedicated and passionate attorney with legal expertise in media and technology and video games. I help companies grow by collaborating with cross-functional teams on a variety of legal and business matters. I solve problems to help create a clearer path for success. I am highly skilled at interfacing with internal teams and external partners, negotiating deals and managing partnerships. My claim to fame in the video game industry is that I was the first person to find a magic item playing the game Diablo. Legal expertise includes: complex content licensing, intellectual property, software licensing, game publishing, licensing and development, SaaS, privacy and other compliance matters, employment, corporate governance, financing, marketing and online commerce.
- Skills
- Entertainment Industry Entertainment
Education
- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
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JD
Attended in 1990 - 1993
Field of study: Law - University of California, Berkeley
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BA
Attended in 1984 - 1988
Field of study: Biology/Biological Sciences
Positions
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Crunchyroll
San Francisco Bay Area
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Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs
Nov 2017 - Present
Crunchyroll is a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. The Crunchyroll service is the largest dedicated anime streaming service in the world.
Oversee and direct all legal for Crunchyroll Games including drafting and negotiating international game publishing agreements.
Draft and negotiate complex licensing agreements for streaming on our Crunchyroll service. Such licenses often include all media and merchandise rights for domestic and international territories.
Negotiate and draft licensing agreements for downstream distribution of our content through Home Video, Television, and Theatrical.
Negotiate and draft marketing, tech, SaaS, merchandising, events, commerce, commercial leasing, sweepstakes and consulting agreements.
Counsel on corporate governance, employment, privacy, and intellectual property issues.
Manage other attorneys and outside counsel.
Assign legal requests to our team of highly skilled collaborative attorneys.
Assist our international teams to help facilitate growth.
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FLEX by Fenwick
San Francisco Bay Area
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Attorney
Apr 2017 - Nov 2017
Attorney with FLEX by Fenwick, a service offered by Fenwick & West that provides experienced in-house lawyers to fast growing technology companies on a flexible interim basis. First seven months at Ellation/Crunchyroll was on contract through FLEX.
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Williams Law Office
California and Texas
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Attorney/General Counsel
Jun 2016 - Nov 2017
Law office specializing in General Counsel services for video game and tech companies.
Draft and negotiate intellectual property licensing and software development agreements.
Advise clients and draft documents on corporate formation & governance, securities, employment, intellectual property, game development and other legal and business matters.
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Bee Cave Games
Austin, Texas
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General Counsel/COO
Sep 2012 - Jun 2016
Directed all legal and business affairs for social gaming company.
Closed seven rounds of financing, raising over $15 million issuing equity and debt securities.
Drafted and negotiated development, marketing, publishing and license agreements.
Advised Board of Directors, CEO and team on intellectual property, corporate governance, privacy, commerce, marketing, employment, securities, sweepstakes, and gaming regulations.
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Williams Media Law/Williams & Fletcher
San Francisco
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Partner/Video Game Attorney
Oct 2008 - Dec 2012
Entertainment & technology firm provided legal services for social & mobile game companies.
Negotiated and drafted development, publishing, licensing and marketing agreements.
Advised clients on intellectual property, employment, M&A, and general corporate matters.
Counseled clients on online matters including privacy, COPPA, advertising and contests rules.
Advised on business issues for worldwide publishing and development of digital entertainment.