SAP Sr. Legal Counsel, Intellectual Property

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YOUR FUTURE ROLE      

 

As a future IT/IP Legal Counsel within the Open Technology & IP Counseling team, which is part of SAP’s global IP team, you will provide legal advice to various SAP departments on IP matters, ensuring alignment with SAP's IP strategy. This role involves offering legal counsel on open technologies, including participation in standard-setting organizations and supporting the establishment of such organizations. You will be responsible for drafting and reviewing IP policies and coordinating with other stakeholders such as Corporate Law and Tax.

Additionally, you will engage with SAP’s Open Source Office, assisting with inbound and outbound Open Source legal review requests, policies, and guidelines, as well as negotiating OSS clauses. Your responsibilities will also encompass advising on, reviewing, and negotiating agreements with universities and research institutes, including contract research agreements, university partnership agreements, and university spin-off agreements.

You will manage the operational handling and negotiation of Partner NDAs, and address inquiries regarding general IP rights and confidentiality from business and development organizations, as well as legal colleagues. Further, you will create process documentation, training materials, and internal portal content, drive process improvement initiatives, and manage internal projects and processes. Staying informed about the latest legislation in IP, such as AI, and applying this knowledge to improve counseling and processes will be essential.

Supporting colleagues in maintaining IP compliance is a top priority. Your role will involve balancing legal risks with commercial objectives, ensuring adherence to SAP's policies and procedures, and efficiently handling research and administrative tasks as required.

 

YOUR PROFILE        

 

The IT/IP Legal Counsel role at SAP's OTIP team requires:

• Fully qualified US lawyer admitted to the bar in a US State
• At least 5 years of IP/IT legal experience in a law firm or IT company's legal department
• Assertive, committed, flexible, and convincing personality
• Open-minded, strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent presentation and writing abilities
• Effective communication with technical and legal professionals, teamwork aptitude
• Timely and sound legal advice, considering business perspectives
• Efficient work habits, able to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

ABOUT THE TEAM
 
The Open Technologies & IP Counselling Team is part of SAP’s Legal IP department. It supports by counselling on general IP matters and by offering standards and enablement, emphasizing the importance of IP and risk mitigation measures to protect SAP’s IP and to use it strategically.

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