Paralegal Trademarks – Inter IKEA Systems B.V. (IKEA)

The Company

At Inter IKEA Systems they do things a little different. They think & act and work differently. They like to break things, like habits and then make things. Like music-playing lamps and plant balls that help look after out planet. It is part of their vision; to create a better everyday life for the many.

Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the worldwide IKEA franchisor, with 12 different groups of companies operating IKEA stores and other IKEA sales channels in over 60 different countries across the world, under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems. The Legal & Governance team at Inter IKEA Systems has a full range of legal responsibilities including certain group tasks and consists of around twenty legal professionals of many different nationalities, backgrounds, cultures and legal expertise areas.

Within the legal team, the Intellectual Property team consists of 6 professionals, with a broad scope of responsibilities, including procurement, maintenance and enforcement of the IKEA IP rights, strategies around IP, supporting in IP licensing and other contracts related to IP rights. The team works closely together with legal functions in IKEA Range and IKEA Supply.

To strengthen the IP team we are seeking to recruit a Paralegal Trademarks based in Delft, the Netherlands, reporting to the Legal Counsel Manager Intellectual Property.

The Position

With IKEA widely recognized as one of the world’s most valuable brands, their extensive trademark portfolio is of course amongst our most important assets, with over 2.000 trademark registered worldwide. The company is constantly working to maintain, strengthen and protect their trademark position, all to make sure that the IKEA products and services remain instantly recognizable through the IKEA trademarks.

The role of Paralegal Trademarks is crucial in all of this. Some of your tasks include handling IKEA’s trademark docketing system and working with the legal counsels in the team to file new trademark applications and renewals, perform trademark searches and review watch notices, prepare documentation in trademark office actions and trademark enforcement matters, screen domain name and IP infringements and perform administrative work in relation to domain names.

The Profile

As a Paralegal Trademarks you are passionate about trademarks, and you feel at home in a supportive and cooperative legal team dedicated to safeguarding, developing and enhancing the IKEA concept. While you enjoy working alongside others and are open to learning, you can also take initiative and work autonomously. You like to interact with colleagues and stakeholders in a diverse international setting. You are pragmatic and flexible and find joy in seeking out improvements in how they do things.

To be successful in this role, the following knowledge, skills and experiences would be valuable:

• at least three years of relevant experience;
• demonstrable experience working internationally with trademarks and trademark filings. Certification as trademark attorney (e.g. BMM) is a big plus;
• excellent organizational and administrative skills, with the capability to manage multiple, detailed tasks efficiently while maintaining thorough and accurate records and documentation of all cases;
• attention to detail and the ability to follow up and follow through;
• fluent in English with strong communication skills, both written and spoken;
• strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook and the ability to quickly learn role-specific software;
• previous experience within an international firm or corporate environment is a plus.

The Offer

A fulltime position in Delft, the Netherlands, for a highly motivated and enthusiastic trademarks professional who is ready for the next step and looking for a challenging and interesting, innovative, fun and dynamic international environment.

At IKEA they believe that they’re better when they’re physically together for collaboration, dialogues and conversations. They believe in the power of human interactions; the informal chats, the energy, belonging and creativity generated by people being in the same place. Our approach is that they spend most of our time in the IKEA workplace, with flexibility to work from home. IKEA offers good opportunities to grow and develop your skills and expertise.