For a quarter of a century, the Jellycat family have brought joy, wonder and playful fun to people of all ages, in every part of the world. Utterly original and in a class of their own, they are currently among the most loved and collected toys of their kind. How has this gentle tribe endeared themselves to so many? Perhaps it is their whimsical expressions. Or the deliciously soft fabrics. Or the beautiful way in which they sit in your hand. 

As part of Jellycat’s ambitious growth plans we are looking to appoint an IP lawyer to work within Jellycat Legal on protection and enforcement of Jellycat’s IP. Jellycat’s business is founded in the creativity of our characters and the way that our fans experience the world of Jellycat. This IP role is pivotal to the business – working with other IP Counsel to protect the specialness of Jellycat. The IP Counsel at Jellycat protect the creativity of the Jellycat business and prevent reputation and image tarnishment. This role is predominantly contentious IP although you will also be working with IP Counsel on our IP rights portfolio, clearance and IP aspects of contracts.

You'll be;

• A Qualified solicitor in the mid stages of your career wanting to work in a business that is a creative leader and producer of joyful experiences for customers.
  • Practical, legal experience post qualification is essential, either via a law firm, trade mark attorney firm or in a company legal department. You will be working with Senior IP Counsel to address copies and their sellers.
  • Able to work in a team and enjoyment of working towards a collective goal. You will be part of the team that advises on Jellycat’s IP rights in products: trade marks, design rights and unfair competition.
  • Able to develop your understanding of both registered and unregistered IP rights applicable to Jellycat’s product design and marketing activities.
  • Comfortable with case management systems and the technology platforms used for online watch, including the developing field of image AI to find copies.
  • Keen to develop your skills to apply IP law to the practicalities of whether a third party product infringes Jellycat’s IP and to assist Customs and local law enforcement globally to seize and enforce against infringing product.
• Demonstrating strong collaborative skills, working closely with the Brand Protection Manager and external agencies that support Jellycat in monitoring and executing online takedowns across global marketplaces and social media platforms.
• Playing a key role in facilitating the Brand Protection Manager's efforts to deliver effective results and to improve takedown performance. You will have worked with the brand support teams within marketplaces and social media companies to represent brand owner interests and extract improvement in takedown rates and types of activity that will be suppressed proactively.
• Using your research skills to build up evidence on legal cases, from oppositions to litigation. Cases are won or lost on evidence and when we work with external counsel, we supply the evidence.
• Applying IP assets to protect Jellycat working with a very experienced IP Counsel at Jellycat responsible for IP assets globally. 
• Working with specialist external advisers to implement Jellycat’s IP enforcement strategy.
  • Using your knowledge on IP protection, enforcing the rights being protected in different jurisdictions.
  • Experienced in working with Brand Protection officers to co-ordinate Brand Protection investigations and actions against counterfeiters with the overall IP Legal strategy to protect against all forms of copying.
  • Experienced in supporting senior lawyers and business stakeholders in creative and marketing teams on a large volume of urgent matters.
  • Interested in the development of IP protection in the digital space –protection and licensing of our creative assets in digital media.
  • Staying updated on trends and changes in IP law, including relevant case law and legislative developments.
  • Demonstrating your learning mentality by attending industry events such as TIPLO. IPSoc and Law firm seminars.

You'll have;

• A training contract and PQE with an established IP team in a law firm . Further experience working in industry for an IP led company (with focus on trade marks, designs and copyright).
• Knowledge of international IP protection systems, including the Madrid Protocol and the EU Trademark system and the Paris Convention.
• Experience of working in a team reporting to senior lawyers and having direct reports of IP lawyers or brand protection professionals.
• Demonstrable experience of working to create efficiency, knowledge sharing, knowledge banks, standard operating procedures and training across the external advisers and inside a business.
• Strong experience in handling a high volume of activity involving multiple, often complex clearances, filings and transactions simultaneously.
• The ability to negotiate, provide clear advice and communicate at all levels of the business.
• The ability to work as part of a team, with an acute sense of team work, responsibility and accountability.
• A solution orientated mindset with a creative approach to problem solving.
• A pragmatic, entrepreneurial and commercial mindset.
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills with a fluency in English.
• A demonstrable interest in and curiosity about Intellectual Property Law is required.
• Experience of IP protection and regimes outside the UK is helpful but not essential.