The Microsoft Intellectual Property Group has an immediate opening for a patent attorney to join our small and agile team handling patent licensing and patent conflicts for Microsoft. As a member of our team, you will enjoy a deeply collaborative, fast-paced environment with smart and creative people, and will play a vital role in protecting Microsoft’s freedom to innovate in its products and services.
We are looking for candidates with a passion for technology and patent law practice. The candidate should enjoy the art and science of drafting patent licenses; picking apart patent assertions based on noninfringement, patent invalidity, pre-existing licenses or licensing commitments, and other arguments; and assessing the value of patent portfolios.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to draft and negotiate patent agreements, including patent cross-licenses, springing patent licenses, and licenses to resolve patent conflicts. You will also be analyzing and resolving patent infringement assertions. In all cases, the person in this role will work closely with other members of our team to ensure alignment with our goals around preserving Microsoft’s freedom to innovate in our products and services.
Responsibilities
- Negotiate and draft patent licenses and other patent-related agreements.
- Develop and present defenses to assertions of patent infringement against Microsoft. This involves negotiating with patent owners and working with Microsoft engineers.
- Collaborate with other team members to develop a defensive patent strategy and recommend steps to address risk, such as through negotiated springing rights agreements and/or patent cross licenses with other companies.
- Engage with Allied Security Trust (AST), RPX, and similar infringement defense organizations, including conducting analysis of offered patents to decide whether to license or purchase offered patents.
- Collaborate with team members to coordinate review of patent issues arising in Microsoft mergers and acquisitions, including assertions against the target.
- Structure and support patent and technology licensing programs.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate Degree or Equivalent International Degree
- OR Completion of a Legal Apprenticeship.
- Active license to practice law in a jurisdiction and capable of meeting admission requirements in relevant jurisdiction.
- 5+ years experience as a practicing attorney in support of technology-related businesses
- OR equivalent practice of law.
- Experience drafting and negotiating patent and/or technology license agreements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Technical background or an interest in software, hardware, and/or cloud services technologies. Engineering skills and experience are not required but are a plus.
- Experience with patent litigation, M&A, competition law, and OSS licensing is a plus.
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