Ian J. Fried
Ian J. Fried is an experienced entertainment attorney and is a founding partner of DME Law.
Mr. Fried represents a broad base of media and entertainment companies across a variety of content production, acquisition and distribution-related entertainment matters with a specific emphasis on the unique challenges encountered in the emerging and rapidly evolving digital space. Current clients include domestic and foreign film, television and new media production and distribution companies; YouTube multi-channel network operators, traditional and digital distribution platforms and channels; consumer electronics manufacturers; and application and game developers.
Within the digital space, Mr. Fried provides strategic business affairs and legal counseling in connection with the formation and operation of multi-platform, multi-channel ad-supported content distribution and syndication networks; the production, licensing and distribution of original series for initial exhibition on subscription video-on-demand and other digital platforms; the financing, production and distribution of branded content; and the licensing of subscription, ad-supported and transactional video-on-demand and electronic sell-through distribution rights to theatrical motion pictures, television series and other content.
Mr. Fried began his legal career as an attorney in the Los Angeles offices of Irell & Manella LLP and Sullivan and Cromwell LLP and, prior to co-founding DME Law, was a business and legal affairs executive in the Digital Entertainment and Television distribution groups of Paramount Pictures.
Ronald Sufrin
Ronald Sufrin is a seasoned attorney with wide-ranging experience in all aspects of the entertainment business, extensive involvement in digital media projects and is a founding partner of DME law.
Mr. Sufrin represents a broad base of content owners, producers and distribution platforms in the continually evolving digital media space, with company clients ranging in size from early stage startups to Fortune 500s. Current clients include feature film, television and new media production and distribution companies; YouTube multi-channel network operators; traditional and digital distribution platforms and channels; and “app” game developers.
Mr. Sufrin provides strategic business affairs and legal services in connection with the licensing of subscription, ad-supported and transactional video-on-demand, electronic sell-through and DVD/Blu-ray distribution rights to feature films, television and other content, with consumer touch points including online platforms, television-connected home networks, mobile devices and kiosk delivery; the formation and operation of multi-platform, multi-channel, ad-supported content distribution and syndication networks; and the development, production and distribution of original content for premiere on a digital platform.
Prior to co-founding DME, Mr. Sufrin was a studio business and legal affairs executive, with experience spanning more than 25 years at Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn Mayer in all aspects of the entertainment business (including all windows of distribution). His Studio experiences have given him a wealth of industry-specific knowledge that is frequently invaluable in assisting his clients. He most recently served as Executive Vice President of Business/Legal Affairs for the Digital Entertainment Group at Paramount where he had responsibility for the business/legal affairs in connection with the development and distribution of Paramount’s content across all digital distribution platforms — online, mobile, portable devices, video games and emerging technologies. His team oversaw and closed over 200+ digital platform deals across 30 territories and helped develop and exploit such original series as the animated Zoolander and Burning Love (now a hit Yahoo and E! series).
Ronnie Roy
Ronnie Roy is a partner at DME Law, LLP. His practice encompasses advising early stage companies from formation to startup financing, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings and private placements, securities law and corporate governance. Mr. Roy’s clients span myriad industries including digital/new media, e-commerce, mobile gaming/mobile applications, entertainment, hospitality, pharmaceutical, high-tech and telecommunications companies.
Mr. Roy has extensive experience representing clients in connection with financing and related securities matters. He continually advises early-stage clients on capital raising transactions spanning friends and family rounds to Series A rounds and beyond.
Mr. Roy also represents private companies in mergers and acquisitions related matters. Mr. Roy often represents sellers and buyers in transactions involving deferred or contingent purchase price, including deals with “earnouts.” Mr. Roy has represented parties in over 25 successfully closed M&A transactions, spanning the digital/new media, technology, medical devices, e-commerce and services industries.
Additionally, Mr. Roy represents private companies and their boards in connection with a broad range of corporate governance and related matters, often acting as “outside general counsel” to his clients.
In addition to his practice, Mr. Roy is on the Board of Directors of Para Los Niños and an active member of the South Asian Bar Association.
