Public Funding for Energy Innovation Impacts Private Intellectual Property Rights
Key Takeaway: The value of intellectual property developed using government funds depends upon compliance with disclosure and licensing rules. Public investment is critical to the development and commercialization of energy...
Structuring Solar IP Claims for Leverage: How System Claims and Induced or Contributory Infringement Can Expand Enforcement Options
Key Takeaways: Nextpower’s mix of apparatus and system claims illustrates how claim strategy can expand enforcement flexibility. Additionally, carefully drafting patent claims can expand the scope of protection of the...
Energy for the AI Boom: Why the Nextera–Dominion Merger Could Reshape the Race to Power Data Centers
Key Takeaways: NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy recently announced a merger that would combine the biggest renewable energy developer in the country with the utility company powering the largest data...
The Solar IP Landscape in the U.S. and China Is Heating Up
Key Takeaway: Recent developments in the U.S. and China highlight that strong patent strategy and IP risk management are critical for companies operating in the solar supply chain. In March...
Drilling for Gold: How the Next Geothermal Rush Is Creating a New Patent Battleground
Key Takeaways: Technological advancements in geothermal exploration and drilling are reducing uncertainty and lowering risk profiles, making private investors and lenders more willing to commit capital that was historically constrained...
NOVONIX Emerges as a Winner in the U.S. Battery Materials Race
Key Takeaways: The domestic battery race is being won by companies, such as NOVONIX, that are developing innovative IP and meeting critical operational and/or commercial milestones based on that IP....
AI Is Going Nuclear: How Major Tech Companies Are Pursuing Nuclear Energy—And How Energy Startups Can Avoid Common Collaboration Pitfalls
Key Takeaways: As major technology companies turn to nuclear energy, early-stage nuclear companies may face heightened intellectual property (IP) risks due to asymmetric negotiations. Building and documenting strong background IP—and...
IP Implications of NRC’s Proposed New Fast Lane for Licensing Reactor Designs Previously Approved by DOE or DOD
Key Takeaway: The NRC’s proposed streamlined DOE/DOD reactor licensing pathway includes public disclosure obligations that can constitute prior art to later filed patent applications, and that raise potential inventorship issues,...
