Experience

Robotics

About

Robotics is part of our work in AI, Electronics, and Information Technology, and Consumer Goods and Services.

An emerging technology comes of age

Technological advances in the fields of semiconductors, sensors, digital imaging, wireless communications, control software, and material science have contributed to the resurgence in robotics research and development. Today’s robots are smaller, quicker, cheaper, and more intelligent than ever before. These next-generation robotic systems are easily programmed to perform different tasks as market needs evolve, able to intelligently learn from feedback, and much more autonomous than their ancestors. Advances have also led to entirely new robotic systems and applications— previously only imagined—now flooding nearly every industry. Finnegan works with leaders and innovators in the diverse markets that have contributed to recent and evolving developments in the robotics arena.

Understanding the law, science, and technology

Finnegan professionals have technical expertise in electrical and computer technologies, software, biotechnology, industrial manufacturing, mechanical engineering, computer vision, nanotechnology, computer graphics, graphical user interfaces, and other related fields. They appreciate the highly competitive nature of the robotics industry, the demands of investors and shareholders to generate value, and the importance of securing early and meaningful protection of intellectual property rights. From determining the competitive landscape for new products to developing winning litigation strategies, we help by:

Developing and executing prosecution strategies to ensure strong patents and a robust IP portfolio
Analyzing competitors’ IP to avoid infringement and identify weaknesses in their portfolios
Increasing portfolio value by identifying potentially high-value assets that can be improved using strategic prosecution techniques
Preparing and negotiating licenses and other transactions to commercialize IP rights
Counseling on research and development options that minimize patent obstacles
Providing due diligence for merger and acquisition targets
Advising on potential litigation strategies and deploying experienced trial and appellate teams
Counseling on business-related matters, including antitrust and competition issues
Providing trademark, copyright, and advertising services

Everyone in this industry

Experience

Finnegan represents BrainCo, a developer of brain-machine interface (BMI) wearables that combine electroencephalography (EEG) signal processing with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enable users to control electronic devices using brain signals. The firm works with BrainCo to develop and implement its intellectual property strategy, including drafting and prosecuting utility and design patent applications, in support of the company’s efforts to build a robust patent portfolio covering innovations and designs related to BMI technologies used in toys, smart home appliances, and robotic devices.

Represented Intuitive Surgical Operations on appeals from petitions for inter partes review (IPR) filed by Auris Health, Inc.

21-1473, -1732, -1733, Fed. Cir., Judges Prost, Dyk, Reyna
IPR2019-01173, -01533, -01547, PTAB, Judges Franklin, Hulse, Jenks, Worth, Yang

Represented petitioner SharkNinja in district court litigation and related inter partes reviews related to robot vacuum cleaner technology. Successfully cancelled all claims iRobot asserted in the district court litigation at the PTAB.

1:19-cv-12125, D. Mass., Judges Burroughs, Kelley
IPR2020-00733, -00734, -00735, -00863, PTAB, Judges Grossman, McMillin, Melvin, Saindon, Wieker

Representing SharkNinja in five IPRs relating to robot vacuums.

IPR2020-00732, -00733, -00734, -00735, -00863, PTAB

Represented patent owner Aqua Products/Fluidra in appeal involving robotic pool cleaners; successfully petitioned Federal Circuit for en banc review of statutory burden of proof issue; en banc court changed legal standard and vacated invalidity ruling against Fluidra.

15-1177, Fed. Cir., Judges Chen, Dyk, Hughes, Lourie, Moore, Newman, O'Malley, Prost, Reyna, Taranto, Wallach

Lead counsel representing SharkNinja in infringement action on robot vacuums. Successfully defeated preliminary injunction motion.

1:19-cv-12125, D. Mass., Judge Burroughs