Overview
The emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and patents, coupled with the growing number of IoT companies and business segments, has given rise to novel issues, new competitors and a fresh battleground for IoT sector participants. While consumers benefit from IoT’s integration of many distinct technologies, a host of patent- and technology-related issues affect the development and adoption of IoT standards and devices, and companies increasingly face licensing and privacy challenges that lead to patent litigation.
Companies operating within the IoT sector turn to Ropes & Gray to help protect and monetize their IP and technological assets and maintain their competitiveness in this rapidly evolving and growing global market. We serve clients in a wide range of industries, including automotive, software, semiconductor, hardware, private equity, telecommunications, health care, information technology, data, consumer products and manufacturing. We represent:
- Technology companies that invent, manufacture, service or sell devices within the IoT supply chain
- Companies that consume devices and services within the IoT supply chain
- Investors and lenders that buy, sell, license and finance these organizations
What We Offer
Litigation and Enforcement
- Complex, multiparty patent infringement litigations through trial
- Dispute resolution through arbitration, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings
- Appellate advocacy relating to IP rights, drawing on our experience with more than 100 appeals before the Federal Circuit
- Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceedings, including Inter Partes review, post-grant review, Ex Parte re-examination and covered business method proceedings
- Litigation involving claims of trademark and trade dress infringement, copyright and design patent infringement, false advertising and unfair competition, and violations of the right of publicity
- Section 337 cases before the International Trade Commission
Strategic Transactions
- IP licensing for complex technological assets
- Structuring and operationalizing mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures
- Commercial agreements, including supply, manufacturing, distribution, development, confidentiality, consulting, collaboration, outsourcing and other service arrangements
- Transactions involving heavily regulated industries in which personal and other data must be handled in accordance with varying local, national, and transnational privacy and data security mandates
Advice and Counseling
- Patent portfolio evaluation and strategy
- Patentability and freedom-to-operate analyses
- Patent invalidity/non-infringement opinions
- European oppositions and evocation proceedings
- Privacy and cybersecurity compliance, incident preparedness, and response
