In my experience, there is a lot you can negotiate if you need to, even with big tech. Small companies will accept redlined contracts if you need a small change

In my experience, there is a lot you can negotiate if you need to, even with big tech. Small companies will accept redlined contracts if you need a small change, too. They complain about it because it's inconvenient to do, but it is very possible if you make it clear that it's what they have to do to hire you. This contract wasn't a simple employment contract, though. It was a copyright license. A lawyer was probably involved, and custom provisions were probably expected.