JOB TITLE: Trade Mark Legal Associate Unilever Intellectual Property
LOCATION: UniOps Bangalore Centre
ABOUT UNILEVER:
Be part of the world's most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.
Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you'll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you'll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we'll work to help you become a better you.
The Legal Powerhouses are part of the legal function and provide defined, structured services to our other lawyers and to the broader business..
Where this position fits-into the team:
Part of the Unilever Legal Powerhouse a team we're currently building, which consists of around 55 colleagues in Bangalore and 30 across Mexico City and Barcelona.
Integral part of Unilever's Legal Function - a global operation consisting of approximately 500 lawyers and specialists
Based alongside the Uni Ops Function in Bangalore a wider team of 1,600 that powers Unilever's compass strategy through world class business operations enabled by technology and innovation
Work in close collaboration with the global Unilever Intellectual Property (IP) Legal team.
Business Context and Main Purpose of the Job
The selected candidate will be dedicated to the Unilever IP Legal team, consisting of Trade Marks, Brand Protection and Patents, who business partner our five Business Groups.
Our five Business Groups consist of Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream and are responsible for setting global strategies and targets for our product categories and brands and develop global marketing content and assets, whilst empowering our Business Units to be accountable for strategic prioritization of channels, portfolios, marketing plans and pricing initiatives.
The Unilever IP Legal team are responsible for the protection, enforcement and monetization of our 400 brands and the underlying portfolio of Intellectual Property Rights. As part of the extended team, we are hiring a Powerhouse resource to support our Trade Mark team with a wide variety of activities, including the following:
Conduct trade mark screening searches, analyse search results to determine the availability of proposed trade marks and prepare advice for the BG Trade Mark Counsel(s). Where required, instruct our external law firm(s) to undertake further searches and provide legal advice.
Prepare instructions to our external law firm(s) for the filling and prosecution of trade mark filling projects, as well as collating supporting documentation and preparing cost estimates where required.
Collate evidence of Unilever's use of our trade marks to support our annual trade mark renewal cycle and the preparations of Statements of Use, as well as for trade mark prosecution, opposition and cancellation matters.
Conduct trade mark watch services to identify infringing third party trade mark applications and provide recommendations to the BG Trade Mark Counsel(s).
Support with trade mark enforcement, infringement and opposition matters, including the conducting of OSIN investigations, drafting pre-action correspondence and settlement agreements.
Support with anti-counterfeiting and grey market enforcement, including the drafting of witness statements, preparing evidence and updating case management software.
Support with the drafting and execution of IP related agreements, including copyright assignments.
Manage requests from our legal colleagues and business partners for the preparation of authorisation letters, trade mark portfolio reports, obtaining copies of trade mark certificates and other ad-hoc trade mark requests.
Support with the integration and/or divestiture of IP assets resulting from M&A activity, including trade mark assignment recordals.
Support with the management of our Domain Name portfolio, including the regular auditing of our portfolio to identify opportunities to lapse.
Manage the Trade Mark precedent bank, updating with new templates, playbooks and other know-how materials.
Prepare PowerPoint presentations and other materials to engage our business partners, provide insights and educate them on Unilever Intellectual Property.
Act as a Line manager for a small team of associates.
Key Skills
Relevant Experience
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with preferably a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property
6-8 years of experience in international trade mark portfolio management, including trade mark clearance searches, prosecution matters, trade mark renewals and enforcement matters.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
Essential
Strong knowledge of trade mark and copyright laws, regulations and practices.
Proven ability to apply legal principles and assessments in connection to IP risk management, in particular the similarity of trade marks and the likelihood of confusion.
Strong English language drafting and legal advisory skills.
Achieving outcomes and results by influencing the way resources not in your control are utilised.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
Ability to work with colleagues across multiple time zones, countries and cultures.
Willingness and drive for process excellence.
Preferable
Experience with conducting trade mark opposition and cancellation proceedings and drafting IP related agreements.
Understanding the commercial aspects of IP legal counselling.
Experience within a consumer goods environment.
Previous people management experience.
Self-motivated
Leadership Behaviors
Execution Responsibility
Bias for Action
Growth Mindset
Consumer and Customer Focus
At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we'll work to help you become a better you!
