Senior Litigation Counsel, Intellectual Property & Licensing at Discord

San Francisco, California, United States

Discord Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Technology, GamingIndustries

Requirements

  • J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials and active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
  • 10+ years of intellectual property litigation experience, with significant focus on patent matters, including familiarity with international patent litigation
  • In-house counsel experience at a technology company
  • Experience with technology patents covering software, networking, real-time communications including video technologies, or gaming
  • Strategic mindset that balances proactive protection with pragmatic risk management within resource constraints
  • Proven ability to translate complex IP concepts into concise, actionable advice for engineering teams and cross-functional executive leadership
  • Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties)

Responsibilities

  • Lead patent litigation matters globally from initial assessment through resolution, including coordinating with outside counsel and managing litigation budgets
  • Develop and refine comprehensive patent litigation framework and strategies aligned with business objectives
  • Develop and refine patent licensing strategy, together with outside licensing counsel and, as needed, Discord’s IP team
  • Handle patent pre-litigation activities including assessments of demands, prior art searches, invalidity analyses, infringement analyses and settlement negotiations
  • Manage, together with outside counsel, incoming patent licensing demands and assertions, including initial assessment, response strategy, and negotiations of patent licensing and, in collaboration with Discord’s IP team, cross-licensing agreements
  • Handle trade secret litigation and misappropriation claims
  • Handle copyright infringement matters, including Digital Millennium Copyright Act compliance and enforcement actions, and provide guidance regarding and collaborate with cross-functional partners on workflows and policies relating to Discord’s compliance with the DMCA and enforcement of the Copyright and IP Policy applicable to Discord users
  • Collaborate with Discord’s IP team colleagues responsible for setting and executing on Discord’s IP portfolio and brand protection strategy

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

patent litigationIP litigationpatent licensingtrademark claimscopyright claimsprior art searchesinvalidity analysesinfringement analysessettlement negotiationscross-licensing agreementstrade secret litigationDMCA compliancelitigation budgeting

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What qualifications are required for the Senior Litigation Counsel role?

Candidates need a J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials and active bar admission in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, 10+ years of intellectual property litigation experience with significant focus on patent matters including international litigation, in-house counsel experience at a technology company, and experience with technology patents covering software, networking, real-time communications including video technologies, or gaming.

What is the salary for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is this role remote or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What does the company culture or team environment look like?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this role?

A strong candidate will have a strategic mindset that balances proactive protection with pragmatic risk management within resources, along with deep expertise in technology software patents and a proven track record of successfully managing high-stakes IP matters for technology companies.

Discord

Voice, video, and text communication platform

About Discord

Discord is a communication platform that allows users to connect through voice, video, and text. It serves as a space for friends and communities to gather and share their interests, catering to a wide range of groups such as artists, activists, study groups, and hobbyists. Users can join various communities, known as servers, which host discussions and activities related to their interests. Unlike many other platforms, Discord does not rely on advertising or selling user data; instead, it offers a premium subscription service called Nitro, which provides additional features like enhanced streaming quality and customization options. The goal of Discord is to create a welcoming environment where people can build connections and foster a sense of belonging.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$952.6MTotal Funding
SERIES_HCompany Stage
Consumer Software, Social ImpactIndustries
1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Stay healthy - We take care of our team with comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
Parental perks - Spend some quality time with the next generation with parental leave, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
Kick back - Stay refreshed with over 19 paid holidays, use-what-you-need sick days, and four weeks of PTO.
Commute easy - In a non-COVID world, get up to $270 per month for your commuting and parking needs.
The loadout - When we’re back in the office, enjoy daily catered lunches and snacks, a desk fund to make your space yours, and whatever you need for your computer setup, including a headphone allowance.
Wellness on us - Take advantage of a quarterly wellness allowance for your gym membership or other wellness activities. Virtual yoga every week!
Transgender benefits - Discord will reimburse up to $20,000 for any procedure related to transition.
Discord HQ - Our office is located in Potrero Hill, a little neighborhood in San Francisco near awesome coffee and food.
Relocation - Excellent relocation bonuses for new hires moving to San Francisco (once it’s safe to return).

Risks

Discord's revenue growth slowed in 2022, indicating potential market saturation.
Integrating Gas may alienate existing users if not managed carefully.
Decentralized platforms like SINOVATE pose a competitive threat to Discord's model.

Differentiation

Discord offers a unique ad-free communication platform with a premium subscription model.
It supports diverse communities, from gamers to artists, enhancing its user base diversity.
Discord's acquisition of Gas expands its reach to a younger, teen-focused audience.

Upsides

Discord's revenue grew 44% in 2022, showcasing resilience in a challenging market.
Integration with AI moderation tools can enhance user experience and safety.
Collaborations with educational platforms position Discord as a key remote learning tool.

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