Digital Rights & Strategy Enforcement (Hybrid)

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

Please note that hybrid at the NBA is define as working on-site Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Position Summary:

Part of the team within the Legal Department responsible for a variety of intellectual property matters related to the NBA and its affiliated leagues, with a focus on the enforcement of IP rights on digital platforms.

Major Responsibility:

• Drafting and submitting IP infringement notices regarding pirated content to digital platforms, including social media and mobile app platforms
• Enforcement against unauthorized live streaming and unauthorized use of NBA content on social media and other digital platforms and apps
• Working across the organization and with outside vendors to identify strategic piracy targets for investigation and action
• Tracking and conducting necessary follow-up on takedown requests to ensure compliance
• Preparing regular content anti-piracy enforcement and trend reports and presentations
• Providing advice and support in connection with various other IP enforcement matters (e.g., domain name disputes, ambush marketing)
• Brand protection enforcement
• Coordinating anti-counterfeiting investigations of global e-commerce platforms and sellers
• Primary responsibility is to assist in overseeing digital enforcement of the NBA's intellectual property rights globally, including: Content anti-piracy enforcement
• Search engine delisting of links to unauthorized content
• Liaising with client groups (including Global Media Distribution, Programming and Production, Social Media, Global Partnerships, and NBA member teams) regarding enforcement matters and related strategy
• Drafting and submitting IP infringement notices to e-commerce websites and platforms regarding the distribution of counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise and the unauthorized use of NBA trademarks
• Evaluating and managing third-party technology vendors, investigators and law firms who provide IP enforcement services

Required Skills/Knowledge:

• At least five (5) years of experience at a law firm and/or corporate legal department in the field of IP enforcement
• Passion for technology with an interest in continually keeping informed about evolving landscape
• Excellent research and communications skills, including exceptional written and oral business communications
• Experience with IP enforcement (content piracy and anti-counterfeiting) on digital platforms
• Familiarity with content protection systems and technology, including digital fingerprinting, watermarking, and third-party platform systems (i.e., Facebook Rights Manager, YouTube Content ID)
• High level of commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance
• Ability to work effectively with others across the organization
• Familiarity with copyright and trademark law
• Attention to detail Strong presentation skills

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, with Paralegal Certificate preferred

Salary Range:

• $75,000-$80,000 per year

The NBA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or any other third parties. Any unsolicited resume sent to the NBA will be considered NBA property, and the NBA will not pay a fee should it hire the subject of any unsolicited resume.

The NBA considers applicants for all positions on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs, and without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, alienage or citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran status, familial status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the NBA
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2021-22 season featured a record 121 international players from 40 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 2.1 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms. Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.