In association with GC Magazine, Finnegan hosted a roundtable comprised of IP counsel and general counsel in London to discuss emerging trends and strategies in intellectual property. Finnegan attorneys Philip L. Cupitt and Anthony C. Tridico participated in the panel discussion to provide insight on topics such as big data, the Internet of Things, and Freedom to Operate.

The rapid changes in technology outpace the changes in the law, and Cupitt believes that adaptability is key in adjusting to these changes. He said, "We are in a situation where none of the existing types of IP protection really suit or envisage the sort of technology that we have now and it is very difficult for rights owners to protect and enforce those rights. The businesses that will be successful are the ones that realize they cannot protect everything and instead try to adapt their own business models."

Freedom to Operate was another topic of discussion. Tridico noted that some companies are implementing a competitive strategy of filing patents to create their own freedom to operate in saturated markets, rather than to enforce the patents.