Episode Summary:
In this episode we sit down with Dale Nelson, a legal trailblazer whose career spans blockbuster franchises, international IP strategy, and a lifelong defense of creative freedom.
Dale joined Donaldson Callif Perez in 2019, bringing with her over 25 years of experience from Warner Bros. Entertainment, where she served as Vice President and Senior Intellectual Property Counsel. At the studio, Dale played a pivotal role in protecting and managing the rights to some of the most influential entertainment properties of our time — from the Harry Potter universe and DC Comics to the studio’s legacy catalog of classic films and shows.
Her work covered every facet of IP law across the globe — including rights clearance, production and marketing approvals, piracy strategy, and legislative policy — and her expertise was trusted by nearly every division at Warner Bros.
Prior to Warner Bros. , she was a litigator at Lyon & Lyon, handling IP enforcement and protection for a broad range of industries. She’s also a respected educator, having lectured at Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, Southwestern, Loyola, and the University of Barcelona.
Today, Dale works with a new generation of storytellers: independent filmmakers, documentarians, podcasters, artists, and creatives who are reshaping the narrative landscape. She helps them understand their rights, navigate fair use and free speech issues, clear material safely, and protect their stories without compromising their vision.
From courtroom battles to classroom lectures, Dale’s voice has become a trusted resource for understanding how intellectual property law intersects with expression and innovation.
Topics Covered:
What it's like to be Senior IP Counsel at a major Hollywood studio
Real-world lessons from managing global franchises like Harry Potter and DC Comics
How to approach rights clearance as an independent creator
The legal blind spots that can derail a project — and how to avoid them
Understanding international copyright, moral rights, and rights of publicity
The balance between free speech and intellectual property
What creators need to know before hitting “publish” or “record”
This is a must-listen for anyone who creates, publishes, or distributes content — and wants to do it safely, confidently, and with integrity.
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W: https://donaldsoncallifperez.com
