IP Counsel, Patents

Square builds common business tools in unconventional ways so more people can start, run, and grow their businesses. When Square started, it was difficult and expensive (or just plain impossible) for some businesses to take credit cards. Square made credit card payments possible for all by turning a mobile phone into a credit card reader. Since then Square has been building an entire business toolkit of both hardware and software products including Square Capital, Square Terminal, Square Payroll, and more. We’re working to find new and better ways to help businesses succeed on their own terms—and we’re looking for people like you to help shape tomorrow at Square.

TIDAL is a global music and entertainment streaming platform committed to creating a deeper connection between artists and fans through its library of more than 70 million songs, over 250,000 high quality videos, and available in over 60 countries. In addition, TIDAL offers its subscribers exclusive access to high-profile music and music videos, original content series, podcasts, documentaries, livestream concerts, tickets, merchandise and live experiences. Together, TIDAL and Square will be music-obsessed and artist-focused while we explore new artist tools, listener experiences, and access to financial systems that help artists be successful.

Square is looking for an attorney with a passion for all things patents to join our legal organization. You will counsel engineers and business leaders on a wide array of patent-related and other technology issues. You will also work with internal patent professionals and outside counsel to manage TIDAL's patent portfolio. You will report to the Patents Lead.

You will:

• Build a strategic and defensive patent portfolio spanning multiple product and solution categories for TIDAL, with focus on invention identification and harvesting, strategic benchmarking, global portfolio growth, and collaboration with outside counsel on patent application preparation and prosecution

• Work with our patent operations team to manage processes for Square's patent portfolio, including patent incentives, IDS filings, and docket management

• Review TIDAL's existing and planned products, business activities, and R&D in the context of IP risks as they relate to competitor activities, industry trends, best practices, and laws and regulations

• Help create content for the team's educational and outreach communications within and outside Square

You have:

• JD degree and membership in at least one state bar

• Admission to the USPTO Bar

• Undergraduate degree in a technical field, preferably in computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, or related fields

• Minimum of five years of relevant patent preparation and prosecution experience with US, preferably with some in-house experience. Knowledge of and experience working on EP patents is a strong plus

• Fluency in communicating legal concepts, issues and risks

• Experience with patent litigation, and in other IP disciplines such as copyrights, trademarks, open source, and trade secrets would be desirable

• Interest in TIDAL’s technology and a good understanding of the IP that comes out of technology development

We’re working to build a more inclusive economy where our customers have equal access to opportunity, and we strive to live by these same values in building our workplace. Square is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work hard to evaluate all employees and job applicants consistently, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class. 

We believe in being fair, and are committed to an inclusive interview experience, including providing reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants throughout the recruitment process. We encourage applicants to share any needed accommodations with their recruiter, who will treat these requests as confidentially as possible. Want to learn more about what we’re doing to build a workplace that is fair and square? Check out our I+D page. 

Additionally, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

Perks

We want you to be well and thrive. Our global benefits package includes:

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement Plans
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Wellness perks
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Learning and Development resources

Square, Inc. (NYSE: SQ) builds tools to empower businesses and individuals to participate in the economy. Sellers use Square to reach buyers online and in person, manage their business, and access financing. Individuals use Cash App to spend, send, store, and invest money. And TIDAL is a global music and entertainment platform that expands Square's purpose of economic empowerment to artists. Square, Inc. has offices in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Spain, Norway, and the UK.