Overview
Knobbe Martens advises companies at every stage of the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle—from foundational research and model development through commercial deployment and enforcement. Our lawyers bring deep technical credentials in machine learning, neural networks, large language models (LLMs), generative AI, and related disciplines, enabling them to work directly with engineering teams and in-house counsel. We craft intellectual property strategies that address the distinct challenges AI technologies present, including patent eligibility, inventorship, data rights, and the fast-moving regulatory environment. Recognized as thought leaders, our lawyers regularly speak and publish on cutting-edge legal and technical developments at the intersection of AI and IP protection.
Who We Represent in AI Intellectual Property Matters
Our lawyers represent clients ranging from early-stage AI startups to established enterprises building and deploying AI products and services across industries including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, financial services, transportation and autonomous vehicles, telecommunications, manufacturing, real estate, and software and networking. Whether a client is training proprietary AI models, integrating AI-powered tools, or commercializing AI-driven solutions, we tailor our intellectual property protection strategies to that client’s technology, competitive position, and business objectives.
Our AI Intellectual Property Services
Knobbe Martens works closely with clients on the full range of legal matters involving AI technologies. Our lawyers pair strong technical backgrounds with practical experience, advising clients on how to build, protect, and enforce their AI-related intellectual property.
Patent Strategy and Prosecution
We assist companies and individuals in securing patent protection for AI-based inventions across the full lifecycle of patent development—from idea capture and prioritization through filing and prosecution. Our engagements range from individual patent assets to multi-patent global portfolios, each tailored to the client’s business goals. We address considerations unique to AI—including detectability, open-source licensing, inventorship, portability, and execution environment—and help clients determine which inventions are best suited for patent protection versus trade secret or other IP coverage. We draft applications with international protection, enforcement, and monetization in mind, and keep clients current on USPTO guidelines for AI-related prosecution, including eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101 and evolving inventorship standards.
Trade Secrets Protection
Our lawyers help clients identify, protect, and enforce trade secrets tied to AI technologies—particularly proprietary training data, model architectures, and training techniques. Our services include drafting confidentiality agreements, implementing internal protection policies, conducting clean-room procedures, documenting development and data access, and supporting acquisition due diligence. We also advise on the trade secret risks posed by publicly available AI-based tools and services, and we stay current on developments in federal and state trade secret law.
Trademark and Copyright Protection and Data Rights Management
Knobbe Martens provides guidance on copyright protection for AI-generated works and the management of data rights and data protection obligations. Our lawyers track evolving guidance from the United States Copyright Office on authorship, ownership, and the legal implications of AI-generated content. We counsel clients on the copyright and licensing considerations that arise from training AI models on third-party data and help structure data governance practices that support compliance and commercial goals.
We also advise clients on trademark protection and brand strategy in the context of AI technologies, including the use of AI-generated content, branding elements created with AI tools, and the enforcement of trademark rights in digital and automated environments. Our lawyers counsel on clearance, prosecution, and portfolio management for trademarks associated with AI-driven products and services, and address emerging issues such as ownership, distinctiveness, and potential infringement risks arising from AI-generated outputs.
Licensing and Commercialization
We draw on decades of experience advising clients on structuring, negotiating, and drafting licensing agreements for AI precursor technologies. Our lawyers handle inbound and outbound licensing for AI-powered services and infrastructure, employment agreements with IP provisions, and monetization programs across global markets. Whether a client is commercializing a proprietary large language model or licensing third-party AI tools, we align every agreement with the client’s business strategy and risk profile. We also support due diligence for funding, acquisition, and partnership activities.
IP Litigation and Dispute Resolution
When IP disputes involving AI and machine learning arise, our experienced litigators provide strategic counsel and courtroom representation. We handle patent, trade secret, and copyright claims, including issues of infringement detection and evidence of copying. To achieve our clients’ goals, we apply key legal doctrines such as patent exhaustion, divided infringement, and fair use. In addition, we advise on third-party indemnification issues that arise when incorporating AI technologies or services from outside vendors.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
We advise clients on the rapidly changing regulatory environment for AI and machine learning, including compliance with data privacy and data protection laws, AI-specific regulations, and industry standards such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF). For issues that cross international borders, we draw on our established network of international law firm partners to help clients stay ahead of new requirements worldwide.
AI Ethics and Governance
Our lawyers counsel clients on developing ethical guidelines and governance frameworks for the responsible use of AI, addressing considerations that frequently intersect with regulatory compliance, public trust, and brand reputation.
Why Clients Choose Our AI Intellectual Property Lawyers
Our clients benefit from an AI-focused IP team that pairs deep technical knowledge with practical business judgment. Knobbe Martens has worked with AI technologies for decades—from early infrastructure providers to today’s generative AI innovators—and that experience shows in the quality of our work. Our lawyers are hands-on advisors who work as an extension of our clients’ teams, committed to protecting the cutting-edge innovations that drive their businesses forward. To learn more, contact one of our AI professionals.
Representative Experience
Medical device company
Represents an artificial intelligence-driven medical device company developing portable diagnostic technologies for early disease detection, in connection with a patent infringement analysis involving AI-based medical diagnostic systems.
Bright Uro
Knobbe Martens represents Bright Uro, a medical device company focused on urological diagnostics, in developing and executing global patent strategies for advanced urodynamics technologies, including AI‑enabled sensing platforms and data‑driven algorithms that support next‑generation, catheter‑free bladder monitoring systems and intelligent interpretation of urodynamic data.
GC Genome Corporation
Represents a life sciences and biotechnology company developing artificial intelligence-driven diagnostic technologies, in connection with a portfolio of patent matters directed to AI-based cancer detection and classification. Knobbe Martens supports patent prosecution strategy, management of U.S. patent issuances, and ongoing application development in this space.
Dataminr, Inc.
Represents a leading artificial intelligence company specializing in real-time AI-powered event, threat, and risk detection, in developing, implementing, and managing a strategic plan for worldwide protection and enforcement of the company’s marks. Knobbe Martens handles trademark prosecution, representation in international and domestic trademark litigation, opposition and cancellation proceedings, trademark policing efforts, and strategy on brand extensions.
Technology company
Represents a technology company providing artificial intelligence-enabled compliance and data privacy solutions for the automotive industry, advising on and preparing patent applications directed to artificial intelligence tools used in sales transactions.
Autonomous vehicle technology company
Represents an autonomous vehicle technology company developing artificial intelligence-driven driving systems, in connection with patent prosecution matters relating to self-driving vehicle technologies. Knobbe Martens supports the development and protection of innovations involving machine vision, sensor-based perception, and AI-enabled decision-making for autonomous navigation.
Everforth Apex Systems
Represents a technology services company in connection with trademark enforcement matters involving overlapping use of marks in the artificial intelligence sector. Knobbe Martens advises on trademark infringement risks and supports strategy for protecting and enforcing brand rights in a rapidly evolving AI marketplace.
