Intellectual Property

Smith Anderson’s Intellectual Property practice blends a sophisticated awareness of technology transactions and emerging technologies with worldwide intangible asset management, experienced IP litigation services and comprehensive strategic advice. 

Our team of attorneys provides an integrated approach to addressing the full spectrum of IP rights and advises clients in every stage of their growth, from rights creation to product development, innovation and commercialization, as well as counseling on matters involving data privacy. The transactional side of our practice works to assess risks and opportunities associated with IP acquisition, licensing, technology transfer, sponsored and collaborative research and development agreements, joint ventures, strategic alliances, co-branding, supply/distribution, and similar matters. Our IP lawyers also work with our IP Litigation practice group, including in arbitration and agency proceedings such as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as before the state and federal judiciary. 

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Founded in 1912, Smith Anderson is the largest law firm headquartered in the world-renowned Research Triangle Region, and our IP lawyers reflect the wide range of technological expertise found in this hub of innovation. We work with a broad array of national and international corporate clients from startups to multinational companies. In addition to IP counseling applicable to any company, we also have specialized cross-disciplinary teams focused on transactional and IP needs for particular industries, including AgTech; Food, Retail & Hospitality; Life Sciences; Manufacturing; Technology & Software.

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Services

• Domestic and international trademark preparation and prosecution
• Patent opposition and post-grant proceedings, including ex parte reexamination and America Invents Act (AIA) proceedings such as inter partes review (IPR), post-grant review (PGR), and covered business method (CBM) review
• Patent, trademark and copyright litigation
• Trade secret disputes
• Trademark and service mark matters, including strategic portfolio development, prosecution, maintenance, licensing and enforcement
• Trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings
• Strategic patent enforcement programs
• Licensing and technology transfer
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Research, development and commercialization collaborations
• Partnering, strategic alliance and joint venture arrangements
• Product and intellectual property acquisitions and divestitures
• Information privacy and security matters, including policies and procedures, breach notice and incident response, investigations and corporate transactions
• Advertising, unfair competition and social media disputes