Alternative Energy
Increasing demand drives innovation
Global energy supply concerns, increased environmental demands, and the fluctuating and often rising costs of traditional energy sources have dramatically accelerated the pace of innovation in the alternative energy and cleantech markets. Public and private investment in technologies that produce renewable, clean, efficient, and affordable energy and environmental technologies has never been greater, and the future for growth in this area seems limitless.
Protecting investments in innovative technologies
Backed by more than 375 intellectual property lawyers, Finnegan stands at the forefront of helping companies protect, advocate, and leverage their alternative energy technologies. We advise well-known industry leaders such as Toyota Motor Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., as well as many emerging companies involved in areas as diverse as photovoltaic cells, biofuels, off-grid hybrid systems, and wind power. We counsel them on the full range of IP issues:
- Drafting and prosecuting patent applications.
- Writing opinions and providing ongoing counseling for new and evolving technologies.
- Developing licensing programs.
- Conducting due diligence investigations.
- Developing portfolio management strategies.
- Protecting against infringement through litigation or other dispute resolution options.
- Providing trademark protection and counseling.
Legal and scientific expertise offers a unique advantage
Many alternative energy innovations combine multiple technologies and scientific disciplines. The scope and depth of Finnegan’s technical experience spans electrical and computer technologies, chemistry and chemical engineering, materials science, biotechnology, industrial manufacturing, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, and other alternative energy-related fields. This background positions us to understand both the science at the foundation of our clients’ intellectual property assets and the relevant legal issues. More than 90 of our professionals have Ph.D.’s, and over 100 have Masters of Science degrees. Our talent pool includes former in-house counsel, patent examiners, researchers, and engineers.
Extensive industry experience
We work with alternative energy clients across a broad range of disciplines and technologies, including:
Agriculture
- Bio-based materials
- Farm efficiency technologies
- Natural pesticides and fertilizers
Energy
- Energy management systems
- Fossil fuels
- Fuel cell stacks
- Geothermal
- Hydrogen generators
- Microturbines
- Nuclear
- Off-grid hybrid systems
- Oil field management
- Photovoltaics
- Solar cells
- Ultracapacitors
Manufacturing
- Advanced packaging
- Emissions reduction and exhaust purification
- Next generation sensors
- Project-level carbon accounting, carbon trading, and carbon sequestration
- Smart construction
Smart Grid Technologies
- Energy Storage
- Grid infrastructure
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles
- Smart meters
- Software
- Wide area networking communications
Transportation
- Batteries
- Electropropulsion
- Flywheel energy storage
- Fuel cell vehicles
- Hybrid propulsion
- Stirling engines
- Superconducting transmissions
Water
- Biological water filtration
- Desalination
- Tidal power