Experience

Robotics

About

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

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

Contacts

Everyone in this industry

Experience

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

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.

Hong Kong-based Walnut Technology relies on Finnegan to protect its technology, designs, and trademarks in the United States for its SPECTRA Pro Skateboard and backpack transport system. Walnut’s product is equipped with the world’s first 3D posture control system in a skateboard, which self-learns to control the rider’s speed and turning. It can be ridden like a regular skateboard while the regenerative braking charges up the battery. Not only did Walnut raise more than eight times its funding goal on Indiegogo, but its design won a coveted Red Dot design award in 2017. Walnut (and its investors) know that the SPECTRA has comprehensive IP protection wherever it goes.

Since 2000, Finnegan has worked closely with the inventors and legal staff at Caterpillar Inc. In addition to our work on utility patents and trademark matters, Caterpillar has entrusted us to Prepare and prosecute design patents ranging from paving machines and ground engaging elements to on- and off-highway trucks and truck parts and autonomous and manned construction machines. We have also assisted Caterpillar in opinion matters and inter partes post-grant reviews involving design patents.

2 More