Patent Counsel

About the Role

We are seeking a Patent Counsel to join our India team, primarily responsible for SEP litigation and patent validity challenges in India, as well as patent prosecution in India and overseas jurisdictions, including but not limited to Europe, the United States, China, and Japan. You will work closely with internal technical teams and external counsel to protect the company's IP assets and manage IP risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage SEP litigation and patent validity challenges in India, including oppositions, revocation proceedings, and infringement defenses, in coordination with external counsel.
• Support SEP licensing negotiations, including assessing FRAND-related issues and communicating with patent owners and licensing platforms.
• Manage patent prosecution in India and overseas jurisdictions, including but not limited to Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, working with technical teams and external patent counsel on invention assessment, drafting, filing, and examination.
• Collaborate with industrial design, AI, and software development teams to identify and protect inventions and product designs.

Requirements

• A degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline, together with a law degree.
• Registration as an Indian Patent Agent or equivalent qualification in the UK, EU or US is a must, and Indian bar or bar qualification in the UK, EU or US is a plus.
• At least five years of relevant IP experience, including substantial experience in Indian patent litigation and a strong understanding of SEP disputes, FRAND-related issues, and patent validity challenges.
• Experience managing Indian and international patent prosecution and coordinating with external patent counsel across jurisdictions, including Europe, the United States, China, and Japan.
• Excellent written and spoken English, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively with technical teams and external counsel in an international environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in SEP litigation or licensing negotiations involving telecommunications or consumer electronics.
• Prior in-house experience with a technology company, or experience managing cross-border patent disputes and international patent portfolios.