Experience

Internet of Things (IoT)

About

Internet of Things (IoT) is part of our work in Communications, and Electronics and Information Technology.

Connecting the world

With the prospect of collecting data from every conceivable object on the planet, IoT has revolutionized how people do business. Whether it be in the field of IoT-enabled homes, cars, industrial manufacturing, supply chains, medical electronics, personal devices, or agriculture, IoT is limited only by the designer’s imagination in creating new applications and adding value. It increases profits for existing products by improving their performance and reducing their manufacturing and maintenance costs. It provides additional revenue streams for businesses selling data collected from new IoT devices. And it allows developers to access and analyze information in different ways to create unique services at a level never before seen. These innovations come with intellectual property challenges for both innovators and users.

At its core, IoT is a network of “things,” or physical objects, each embedded with electronics, sensors, and network capability that enable them to report data about themselves to anyone over the Internet. Our attorneys understand how IoT uses new technologies across many different areas—such as sensors, networks, big data, analytics, artificial intelligence, and security—to provide innovative solutions for an ever-growing smart and connected world. Finnegan has helped companies patent, license, and litigate IP in these areas for decades.

Understanding the law, science, and technology

Finnegan fully appreciates the global consumer demands and business environment that our clients face delivering IoT products in the age of connectivity. Our deep bench of professionals includes many with advanced technical degrees—disciplines include computer science, security informatics, electrical and computer engineering, information science and systems, telecommunications, and physics—as well as decades of experience practicing IP law. We have experience with both network devices and Internet technologies, extending from single devices, such as personal consumer electronics, to complex systems spanning across the globe.

We help IoT innovators develop sophisticated, comprehensive, and tailored IP strategies to meet their individual needs by:

Defending clients from infringement claims in U.S. district courts, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Asserting patents in litigation to protect our clients’ intellectual property
Developing a strong and comprehensive patent portfolio by obtaining patents in the United States and abroad
Challenging and defending patents in administrative proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including reexamination, inter partes review (IPR), and post grant review (PGR) proceedings
Analyzing the competitive landscape in specific markets and advising clients on areas in which they have freedom to develop new products without running afoul of others’ intellectual property
Negotiating license agreements that provide the freedom to get products to market and keep them on the market
Monetizing patent portfolios to generate additional revenue streams
Performing sophisticated damages analyses both within and outside of the context of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing requirements
Providing trademark, copyright, and advertising services

Contacts

Everyone in this industry

Experience

Represented Google as petitioner at the PTAB, where the Board instituted inter partes review of patent asserted in litigation.

IPR2019-00340, -00342, PTAB, Judges Stephens, McKone, Weinschenk

Defended LG Electronics in a four-patent infringement lawsuit filed by Uniloc involving VoIP messaging. This was one of more than a dozen infringement suits involving nearly two dozen patents filed by Uniloc against LG in a two-year period. Following successful venue transfers, stay or dismissal of nearly all of Uniloc’s lawsuits, and orders invalidating claims in 15 of the asserted patents (including all four patents asserted in this lawsuit), this case settled as part of a favorable global resolution with Uniloc.

2:16-cv-00992, E.D. Tex., Judge Gilstrap

Defended Philips from antitrust and contract claims relating to digital television broadcasting standards.

1:17-cv-00921, N.D.N.Y., Judges McAvoy, Peebles
18-2992, 2nd Cir.

BrainCo, a company specializing in BMI (Brain Machine Interface) wearables, is working with Finnegan to develop its intellectual property strategy. A key component includes building a patent portfolio of innovations and designs related to BMI technologies that allow users to directly interact with electronic devices (including toys, smart home appliances, and robotic devices) by using brain signals.

Defeated Healthbox Global Partners, LLC’s motion for preliminary injunction asking the court to immediately order Under Armour to stop using HEALTHBOX/UA HEALTHBOX for its new connected fitness product, rebrand, and recall all products from store shelves. After briefing and argument, the court ruled for Under Armour on all claims.

1:16-cv-00146, D. Del., Judge Robinson

As Finnegan’s clients advance innovations that analyze big data, provide back-end storage and data solutions, monitor information from mobile devices and vehicles, and provide user-friendly display interfaces, we help them procure patent protection and build sophisticated portfolios around all related technology areas. We also assist them with developing enforcement strategies and defending against infringement accusations.

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