{"id":302694,"date":"2025-06-20T11:20:24","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T11:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/to-transition-into-media-and-technology-law-one-should-start-by-building-a-strong-foundation-in-contract-and-intellectual-property-law-especially-copyright-and-licensing-diwakar-abhishek-legal\/"},"modified":"2025-06-20T11:20:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T11:20:24","slug":"to-transition-into-media-and-technology-law-one-should-start-by-building-a-strong-foundation-in-contract-and-intellectual-property-law-especially-copyright-and-licensing-diwakar-abhishek-legal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=302694","title":{"rendered":"“To transition into media and technology law, one should start by building a strong foundation in contract and intellectual property law, especially copyright and licensing.” – Diwakar Abhishek, Legal Counsel at Swastik Productions Private Limited, Mumbai. – SuperLawyer"},"content":{"rendered":"


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This interview has been published by Anshi Mudgal<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0The SuperLawyer Team<\/a><\/p>\n

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What initially drew you to the legal profession, and how did your academic journey shape your early interest in media, entertainment, and technology laws?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be honest, I initially became a lawyer almost by elimination! Like many in my region, engineering was presented as the \u2018obvious\u2019 path. While I knew it wasn\u2019t for me, law wasn\u2019t a generational profession in my family, which led to some initial resistance. However, I was eventually drawn to the legal field\u2019s potential to shape society and advocate for others.<\/p>\n

My early interest in criminal law was more out of curiosity for the drama, but it was the MCU and similar movies that unexpectedly sparked my fascination with IPR. I was intrigued by how these films showcased the immense value of creative works, the complex web of ownership and licensing, and how legal frameworks protect and enable the entire entertainment industry. It was a whole new world!\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Did I pursue it right in the beginning \u2013 the answer is NO! My first job was purely out of need and financial constraints, I grabbed the job that demonstrated security, and paid fine. Then the second and the third; none gave me ample satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Even though this interest in IPR grew within me sub-consciously but persistently, for almost a decade, it took me some time to really gather courage to pursue it. The world of media and entertainment law seemed very specialized and competitive, and I wasn\u2019t sure how to break in. Interviewing with studios and specialized law firms in media practices resulted in disappointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The pandemic of 2020, in a way, provided the space to seriously reflect and take that leap, when I jumped from the ship, in unchartered waters (for myself). I took the time to build a solid foundation in media law while continuing to explore opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking back, I\u2019m grateful for that journey. The initial resistance from my family has turned into immense support, and I\u2019ve found a truly rewarding path in a dynamic field. Learning from all previous jobs has equipped me to face challenges. For any young lawyer unsure of their path, I\u2019d say embrace the unexpected, explore your passions, and don\u2019t be afraid to carve out your own niche. Your unique background and interests can become your greatest strengths.<\/p>\n

Looking back at your first role, how did your experience in legal project management and forensic investigations lay the foundation for your future work in corporate and media law?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My initial role in digital forensics, or e-Discovery, might seem far removed from media law, but it provided an invaluable foundation. This role involved analyzing the communications of top-level executives (like CEOs and CFOs) at major global companies. Reading their emails, strategic plans, risk assessments, and discussions gave me a unique understanding of how business decisions are made at the highest level. I saw firsthand how legal considerations intertwined with financial projections, market analysis, and strategic goals. You get to see how the executives of fortune 500 companies across the world think. Their communications with their lawyers, their external lawyers, business considerations, thought process; they were open before me. When you are reading through the emails, financial projections, opinions, risk assessment, business proposals, and the discussions of these CXOs day-in and day-out, at around 1000 documents per day, the information, although enormous, starts building up, stacking in a meaningful manner.<\/p>\n

Simultaneously, I had the opportunity to work with some of the world\u2019s leading legal minds, who possessed inspiring business acumen. I learned how to manage client expectations, innovate in real-time to expedite processes, and build efficiency to handle large volumes while maintaining high quality.<\/p>\n

These experiences taught me how to assess risks and rewards, a skill that\u2019s crucial in any legal field, including media law. For instance, when evaluating a content licensing agreement or advising on a new production, I draw on my understanding of the business realities to provide informed and balanced counsel. I am able to give the risk assessment which is a balance between risks and rewards for each deal or opportunity. This background has shaped how I approach legal challenges, combining legal expertise with a practical understanding of business objectives. That experience helps me even today in interpreting contracts not just for what they say, but what they might mean commercially.<\/p>\n

Your work at Sodexo involved legal operations across the APAC region, what challenges did you face managing cross-border legal compliance, and how did this prepare you for later in-house counsel roles?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sodexo was my first in-house role, a significant shift from working with external clients and a deep dive into Indian law. Initially, I found it quite challenging. For example, understanding the specific needs and expectations of \u201cinternal clients\u201d; colleagues in departments like sales, operations, and HR who needed legal support, was new. Also, I had to quickly learn the ropes of a completely new industry and adapt to the company\u2019s work culture. There was a lot to learn in a short time!<\/p>\n

Fortunately, I had patient mentors and a very supportive boss, without whom I may have struggled. I was given increasing responsibilities, starting with contracts management for Indian operations, then litigation, and eventually overseeing legal matters for Southeast Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n

While the role didn\u2019t involve managing cross-border compliance in the way that some multinational companies do, it did require me to handle legal issues with an international dimension. For instance, when supporting a project in Hong Kong, I had to immerse myself in Hong Kong law, compare it to Indian law, and ensure our contracts were sound in that jurisdiction. This involved careful analysis and collaboration with local counsel. For example, navigating labour laws while drafting service-level agreements with large FMCG clients taught me about balancing scalability and compliance.<\/p>\n

Looking back, my time at Sodexo was pivotal. It taught me how to be a business partner, not just a legal advisor. I learned to communicate legal advice effectively to non-legal colleagues, manage diverse stakeholders, and develop practical solutions in a fast-paced environment. These are essential skills for any in-house counsel, and the experience I gained at Sodexo truly prepared me for the challenges and opportunities I\u2019ve encountered in my subsequent roles.<\/p>\n

Having transitioned into media law with ALTT and later Screenwriters Association, what were the most significant legal or contractual differences you encountered between tech-sector law and entertainment law?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I left Sodexo to pursue media and entertainment law, I started small \u2013 drafting contracts for screenwriters and gradually working with artists, producers, and even international clients on content compliance and music rights. The early work didn\u2019t pay much, but it helped me build trust and credibility; some of those clients still reach out today. Breaking into the industry wasn\u2019t easy, and I\u2019m grateful to Balaji Telefilms for giving me my first in-house opportunity, which soon led to heading legal operations at ALTT.<\/p>\n

The shift from service industries to a content-driven company was massive. Earlier, I was reviewing contracts post-signing; now I was involved from ideation to release: across film, TV, and digital platforms. The core legal principles stayed the same (like contracts and labour laws), but the subject matter completely changed, from food regulations to copyright, talent agreements, and licensing.<\/p>\n

My tech background, especially in digital forensics, gave me an edge in content rights, data governance, and cross-border compliance. At the Screenwriters Association, I focused on protecting creators, negotiating fair contracts, and educating them on their rights. While each role was different, the constant has been using law as a tool to empower, protect, and enable creative work. The shift taught me that while legal fundamentals remain the same, the \u2018language\u2019 of law differs dramatically across industries, and learning to speak both fluently is what makes a good media lawyer.<\/p>\n

In your current role leading the legal department at Swastik Productions, how do you approach providing strategic legal counsel on content production, syndication, and partnerships, and what are the key intellectual property considerations that typically arise when structuring such deals in the entertainment industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my current role at Swastik Productions, legal strategy is never one-size-fits-all; each production, syndication, or partnership comes with its own set of challenges.<\/p>\n

Content Production: I tailor my approach based on the medium:<\/p>\n