Fintech Patent – Intellectual Property Department, Group Compliance Supervisory Department

Job Description:

Department Overview 

The Intellectual Property Department of Rakuten Group Inc. is a specialized division responsible for formulating and executing IP strategies for over 70 services provided by the group. We closely collaborate with various departments to support the achievement of business units' management principles and overall strategies through our IP strategies. By protecting, managing, and leveraging intellectual property, we enhance the competitive strength of Rakuten Group and drive business growth. 

The IPX Section, launched on April 1, 2024, focuses on patent dispute resolution, qualitative improvement of patent practices in the fintech sector, and the efficiency and systematization of patent management operations. We are engaged in various new initiatives to achieve these goals. 

Position: 

Why We Hire 

We are looking to work with an individual who is eager to enhance their skills both individually and as a team, through handling thorough countermeasures against competitors' patents and strategic patent prosecution in our group's fintech business. 

Position Details 

You will be involved in one of the following tasks in the fintech business segment

- Screening of planning and development projects (determining whether patent clearance and/or patent filing are required or not) 

- Patent clearance search 

- Thorough countermeasures for third-party’s patents (research and consideration of non-infringement logic, invalidity, and infringement avoidance plans, coordination with business divisions) 

- Research and consideration for patent applications 

- Continuous analysis of competitors' patents and strategic utilization of analysis results 

- Inventory and evaluation of existing patents (research and consideration of implementation status of own and other companies) 

- Perform the above tasks incorporating team discussions and reviews 

Work Environment 

Approximately 30 members in Intellectual Property Department of Rakuten Group, Inc., 8 members in IPX section 

Our section consists predominantly of mid-career members who have come from the intellectual property departments of other corporations. 

Mandatory Qualifications: 

- Experience and knowledge related to software 

- Experience and knowledge in patent clearance, prosecution, (non-)infringement judgment, and invalidity judgment 

- Experience working in a team on the above tasks (We are looking for an individual who is willing to share your know-how within the team and are proactive in absorbing the know-how of other members) 

Desired Qualifications: 

- Experience and knowledge in fintech 

- Experience in the tasks listed in Position Details section within a corporate intellectual property department 

- Experience in patent litigation, foreign affairs, contracts, licensing, and litigation within a corporate intellectual property department (you may be assigned these tasks depending on your preference and the situation) 

- Experience in launching or managing a sma