Job Opening: USOC Seeks Associate General Counsel, Intellectual Property

Intellectual property’s intersection with sports is something I write a lot about on The Sports Biz. This job opening, posted by the US Olympic Committee marries the two for someone who would not mind living in Colorado Springs.

A Juris Doctor degree is required, as is being admitted to practice law in the State of Colorado or the ability to obtain membership in a reasonable amount of time. The USOC also wants someone who has at least eight years of experience in IP with a focus on trademark practice.

The salary range for the position is listed as $143,143 – $181,791.

Here are some of the duties of the US Olympic Committee job:

• Manage the USOC’s trademark portfolio, including by preparing and filing applications, declarations, renewals and other requirement documentation with the USPTO.
• Advise and assist USOC staff to determine when new marks should be protected and to ensure ongoing protection for existing marks.
• Oversee and assist in the investigation of third party trademark infringement matters and bringing parties into compliance with USOC IP rights and requirements.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements with infringers and follow-up to ensure compliance therewith.
• Manage the USOC’s outside trademark counsel relationship; work with docketing to ensure USPTO deadlines are met; discuss newly-filed third party trademark applications and assess the USOC’s interests in preventing use or registration of third-party marks; and work closely with outside counsel on any contested-party matters, whether at the TTAB or in federal court.
• Work cooperatively with the IOC in protecting the Olympic brand in the United States, and in connection with each Olympic Games.
• Work closely with USOC staff and USOC Sponsors to protect the value of Olympic sponsorships by preventing or stopping ambush marketing activities.
• Oversee and advise on responses to third-party requests to use USOC IP.
• Work closely with USOC staff in matters involving athlete images, including as to IOC Rule 40 and the USOC Athlete Endorsement Guidelines.

Don’t worry if this job isn’t up your alley. We have posted many other job openings on The Sports Biz in the past.