Client Services / Intellectual Property, Media & Technology / Technology Transactions

Technology Transactions

Our lawyers' efforts in the area of computer law are coordinated with the Firm's Information Technology practice, which consists primarily of transactional lawyers who have extensive experience in handling matters as they relate to vendors and users of technology. The arena of e-commerce generally, and the internet specifically, results in a range of legal issues and problems which fall outside of the traditional field of intellectual property law. The Department's practice of nontraditional intellectual property law areas generated by e-commerce, include the areas of censorship, defamation, e-mail, net security and legislation. Likewise, as a new form of commerce, the internet raises both civil and criminal liability issues as well as jurisdictional issues, many of which are ill-defined. Our lawyers assist clients in operating in this new, uncharted area of commerce and has represented clients in many of the landmark cases involving the internet.

TRADEMARKS/DOMAIN NAMES
Our lawyers' advise clients on issues relating to domain name registration, copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret registration, protection and enforcement. Our trademark lawyers are available to provide analyses of comprehensive trade name and trademark searches, assessing the relative risks and benefits associated with the selection of new names. Our sophisticated docketing system allows for the management of large portfolios in a cost-effective manner, thereby minimizing the administrative burden on in-house legal departments.

COPYRIGHTS
The Firm's Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department is knowledgeable of U.S. and international copyright laws to protect computer-related works, multimedia, literary, dramatic, artistic, architectural and certain other intellectual works. As use of the internet grows, copyright protection questions have become important for virtually every type of business. We advise clients on the types of technical works that can be protected by copyright, such as software, compilations (including catalogues, directories and some databases), maps, blueprints and drawings. Moreover, with today's fluid workforce, copyright issues often arise when employees leave to start a new venture.

PATENTS
Technology is especially important to internet related and e-business companies. Often the most effective way to protect that technology is through an active and informed patent program that procures intellectual property rights and enforces those rights. Our patent prosecution lawyers are experienced in all aspects of prosecution practice. Our representation spans from large high technology companies to start-up companies in the Silicon Valley and other technology centers. Our patent lawyers advise regarding virtually all fields of technology, with particular strengths in telecommunications, computer hardware and software, and semiconductor fabrication. Frequently, evaluating the patent rights of competitors is just as important as obtaining patent rights. Businesses need to know if they are free to use or deploy their technologies without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Our lawyers are often engaged to render infringement and validity opinions with respect to patents and products of competitors of our clients.

Contacts

Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Client Services

McDermott Will & Emery

McDermott Will and Emery