Dhanya Nandakumar

Senior Legal & Business Affairs leader with 21+ years of experience across Media & Entertainment, OTT, Music, Broadcasting, and Digital Content industries.

Currently General

Manager – Legal & Business Affairs at Sony Music Entertainment India, with prior leadership roles at Disney Star, Aha OTT, and Zee Entertainment. Strong expertise in content licensing, rights management, digital monetization, and strategic commercial negotiations. Proven ability to partner with business teams to drive revenue protection, content exploitation, and risk-managed growth.

Extensive experience in YouTube copyright enforcement, digital content protection, and anti-piracy initiatives across platforms. Recognized for aligning legal strategy with business objectives in fast-paced media ecosystems.

General Manager – Legal & Business Affairs - Sony Music Entertainment India Private Limited - India

(2024-02)

Lead all legal and business affairs functions across recorded music, publishing, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and contractual obligations for South and East business.

• Support and advise business teams on content licensing, digital rights management, and monetization of intellectual property
• Structure and negotiate high-value commercial agreements including artist contracts licensing deals, publishing arrangements, sync licenses, and distribution agreements across PAN India markets, enabling content monetization and business expansion
• Serve as primary legal advisor to business team teams on copyright, IP, royalties, and distribution strategies
• Lead dispute resolution strategy, pre-litigation advisory, and external counsel coordination, ensuring risk mitigation while protecting business and content interests across regions
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with finance, marketing, and digital teams on commercial initiatives and rights exploitation

Counsel – Legal - Star India Private Limited - India

(2022-10 - 2024-02)

• Supported business teams on content acquisition, production, syndication, distribution, and digital licensing agreements for Tamil content
• Managed legal risk, dispute resolution strategy, and commercial advisory for new business initiatives
• Handled IP enforcement including copyrights, and infringement matters
• Coordinated litigation strategy with external counsel and senior advocates
• Provided business-oriented legal guidance for content and platform-related operations

Associate Vice President – Legal - Arha Media and Broadcasting Private Limited - India

(2021-11 - 2022-10)

Led Legal & Business Affairs for OTT platform, studio operations, international distribution, and content licensing.

• Advised leadership on content monetization strategy, global licensing models, and platform expansion initiatives
• Negotiated commercial agreements for OTT distribution, partnerships, and content exploitation
• Managed YouTube copyright enforcement and digital content protection strategies
• Implemented legal frameworks aligned with OTT business scalability and industry best practices

Director – Legal - Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited - South India

(2015-09 - 2021-11)

Led legal and business affairs for South regional operations.

• Negotiated content acquisition, production, syndication, distribution, and licensing agreements
• Managed IP enforcement, litigation strategy, and regulatory advisory
• Partnered with business teams on content strategy, compliance, and monetization initiatives
• Led and mentored regional legal teams across South India

Assistant General Manager - Legal - TVS Logistics Services Limited - India

(2015-07 - 2015-08)

• Drafted agreements and verified documents for finalizing lease agreements
• Handled insurance including claims and litigation management

Senior Manager – Legal - Caravel Logistics Private Limited - India

(2011-05 - 2014-05)

Handled legal matters for Caravel Logistics across CHA operations, freight forwarding, vessel operations, and stevedoring activities, including drafting and reviewing commercial agreements.

• Managed land acquisition and lease documentation for CFS and warehouse projects across PAN India locations, including due diligence and document verification
• Advised on marine insurance matters, including claims handling, regulatory compliance, and coordination with stakeholders and authorities under maritime laws
• Managed litigation, legal opinions, and compliance matters, including coordination with government authorities and external counsel for dispute resolution

Senior Executive - Legal - TaurusQuest Services Pvt Ltd

(2008-10 - 2011-05)

TaurusQuest is a legal process outsourcing (LPO) company, providing extensive support to law firms and corporate clients via legal and paralegal services in many countries across the globe.

• Dealt with contract management which includes drafting & review, litigation support, legal search, discovery support for US law firms

Advocate Assistant - Mr. S.MURUGAPPAN, ADVOCATE - India

(2006-06 - 2008-10)

• Appearing and arguing cases in various courts and tribunals and managing the entire legal activities of the Company
• Specialized field of law – Customs and central excise, Service Tax

Advocate Assistant - Hon'ble Justice Mr. G.R SWAMINATHAN - India

(2004-11 - 2006-05)

• Appearing and arguing cases in High Courts, Civil Courts, Consumer Forum, Electricity Board, Debt Recover Tribunals and Criminal Courts
• Drafting of documents related to litigations viz. Plaints, Written Statements, Petitions, Complaints, Affidavits, Notice of Motions and Applications
• Handled matters under Mines and Minerals Act, Labour and Service laws

Bachelor of Law - Law - Government Law College, Trichy