Intellectual Property Law

In today’s fast-moving marketplace, intellectual property (IP) is a critical asset that drives growth and differentiation. Whether you’re launching a product, expanding online, or developing breakthrough technology, securing your IP from day one is essential.

The McNees Intellectual Property Law Group provides practical, business-focused counsel to help clients navigate complex IP issues. Our team secures and enforces patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets to safeguard innovation and maintain market leadership. We take pride in offering cost-effective legal representation that delivers exceptional value with competitive hourly rates and billing options such as fixed fees, which we offer for many routine IP tasks.

Comprehensive, industry-focused IP solutions

We work with companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 corporations to emerging startups, offering practical legal solutions designed to strengthen and protect IP assets.

• Patent protection: Our patent team—including attorneys registered before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), delivers sophisticated strategies to protect inventions. We have particular strength in chemical and material sciences, with team members holding advanced degrees in chemical engineering, chemistry, and biochemistry.
• Trademark and brand management: Our trademark team oversees and manages global portfolios, helping businesses protect their brand across international markets.
• IP transactions and enforcement: We collaborate with corporate, M&A, and regulatory attorneys to structure licensing agreements, assess IP risks in transactions, and enforce IP rights in competitive markets.

How we help clients

Patent strategy and prosecution

Patent protection is critical for businesses developing new innovations. We handle patent applications, prosecution, and strategic counseling on patentability, validity, and infringement. With backgrounds in engineering and applied sciences, our attorneys provide technical and legal insights tailored to various industries. We work closely with our Litigation Group on patent enforcement and defense.

Trademark strategy and prosecution

Your brand is a valuable asset—we help protect it from legal challenges. We guide our clients through the entire lifecycle of a brand, from assisting with the selection, protection, and defense of trademarks. Our lawyers provide proactive and practical advice to prevent and navigate the disruption of your brands. With our comprehensive approach to brand selection and protection, our clients can focus on brand building instead of the distraction of infringement claims and registration challenges.

International IP protection

Expanding into global markets requires strong IP protection. We counsel clients on international IP enforcement, licensing, distribution, and compliance across jurisdictions. With connections in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, we help businesses protect and leverage their intellectual property worldwide.

Technology and software agreements

Technology-driven businesses need strong agreements to manage risk and protect assets. We draft and negotiate software and technology services agreements, including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. Our team advises on data security, privacy laws (HIPAA, EU Privacy Directive), service level guarantees, and emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing.

Litigation

When your intellectual property is at risk, you need swift, skilled litigators. We handle copyright, trademark, and patent disputes, as well as false advertising, trade secrets, and technology conflicts. McNees IP attorneys practice before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) as well as state and federal courts. We have successfully defended clients in high-stakes IP cases, protecting their businesses and brand reputations.

Marketing and advertising compliance

We provide guidance on false advertising, publicity rights, comparative advertising, product claims, and rights clearance. We negotiate and draft advertising, creative content, and influencer/endorsement agreements while ensuring compliance with evolving data privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Licensing and commercialization

Maximizing your intellectual property’s value starts with well-structured agreements. We handle licensing, sales, and acquisitions across trademarks, copyrights, patents, and technology. Our team manages private label and corporate branding licenses and has experience in entertainment licensing, including branding and marketing for renowned household brands.

Trade secret protection

Protecting trade secrets is vital for your competitive edge. We help clients safeguard confidential information by drafting secrecy agreements and creating policies. In collaboration with our Labor and Employment Group, we develop agreements focused on trade secrets. Our Litigation Group enforces noncompete and confidentiality agreements to secure intellectual property and business interests. We also offer proactive strategies to protect critical IP across many competitive industries.

Franchise and distribution law

Expanding your business through franchising or distribution requires strategic legal guidance. We represent franchisors in developing and registering franchise documents, brand development, and sourcing agreements. We assist potential franchisees with the review and negotiation of franchise opportunities.