Intellectual Property

Practice Contacts

Intellectual Property

Taft understands the assets that make innovators unique, and we know how to protect them. We understand that intellectual property is more than patents and trademarks — it is the people, practices, and big ideas that keep a business running. No matter the industry, organizations need legal counsel that can identify, protect and enforce their ongoing IP rights and that can secure their freedom to operate in the marketplace.

Our group consists of more than 100 attorneys, including 50 registered patent attorneys, who are well-positioned with the experience and connections to protect our clients’ IP needs. Our team is creative, responsive, highly collaborative, efficient, and effective. We work with clients to develop a tailored approach that meets their immediate goals and long-term business visions. We collaborate with colleagues across our firm to leverage the legal, scientific, technical, and industry experience necessary for our clients’ success in a competitive marketplace.

Understanding the significance of intellectual property in increasing business value, our lawyers develop robust patent, trademark, and copyright portfolios that capitalize on IP assets. We advise companies on securing and safeguarding their intellectual property, as well as counsel on IP concerns during mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.

In addition to patent, trademark, and copyright protection and litigation, our IP attorneys advise clients on trade secret protection, domain names, unfair competition, false advertising, and the right of publicity.

Shaping Industry Growth

Our team members implement novel and traditional intellectual property law principles across various industries, including automotive, financial services, software development, publishing, electric manufacturing, specialty chemicals, security, entertainment, and health care.

Our attorneys assist clients in drafting licensing and development agreements and handling disputes to assisting individuals and institutions from early research through commercialization. We have experience litigating suits regarding involving technologies such as avionics, LCD optics, video signaling, semiconductor design and operation, thin film transistor manufacturing and design, voice-over-internet telephony and firewalls, routers and switches, network topology and message routing, LED design and operation, PECVD manufacturing processes, regulated medical devices, pharmaceutically active substances and formulations, cellular screening methods, computer software and electronic point of sale devices.

We provide advisory services to start-up businesses, individual innovators, as well as established companies throughout the U.S.

Shaping Outcomes

While we regularly guide clients through all stages of litigation, including appeals, the goal is always to avoid and resolve potential disputes before they reach that point or, at the very least, to achieve a successful result as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Our award-winning IP litigation team has litigated and favorably resolved game-changing IP cases—frequently engaging in cases alongside and against some of the nation’s most prominent law firms. We also have a track record of favorable outcomes in disputes adjudicated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and federal courts across the country.

We assess the evidence and pinpoint the issues crucial for early wins. We then position our clients to gain the strategic upper hand they need. With years of experience, we excel at conveying complex ideas and technologies to judges and juries and formulating persuasive arguments to secure victories.

We advocate for clients in federal and state courts, at the USPTO, the PTAB, and the TTAB, as well as at the ITC, WIPO, and various international dispute resolution venues.

Comprehensive IP Capabilities

Searching and clearance of trademarks.
Registering trademarks in the U.S. and internationally, and managing large trademark portfolios.
Global brand protection and enforcement strategies
Registering trade dress, product and packaging configurations.
Watch/surveillance services for conflicting marks.
Patentability searching.
Preparing and filing U.S. and foreign patent applications, and managing large patent portfolios.
Counsel on designing around valid patents.
Patent and trademark licenses.
Technology licenses.
Technology transfers from universities to the private sector.
Transactions involving technology and e-commerce.
Intellectual property audits, management, and counseling.
Issues in the context of mergers, acquisitions, and dispositions
Software and systems development, licensing, and protection.
IP-related insurance counseling and coverage issues
IP licensing, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and collaborative arrangements
Trade secrets, unfair competition, and the misappropriation of proprietary information
Intellectual property litigation, arbitration, and appeals.
Inter Partes Review.
International Trade Commission (ITC) investigations.
Antitrust litigation.
S. Customs registration and enforcement of IP rights.
Sweepstakes and promotions.
Advertising compliance/clearance.
FDA and FTC.
E-commerce.
Product Clearance.
Issues in Internet website development, domain name disputes, and assisting with hosting, co-branding and content license agreements.
Book publishing and publishing-related contracts and transactions.

Related Practices

Related Industries

Notable Matters

Awards & Recognitions

Top-ranked by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business for Intellectual Property in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Eight individual attorneys also were recognized.
Fifty attorneys named to Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch.”
Recognized for IP litigation in IAM Patent 1000. Five attorneys are included in the guide.
Eighteen lawyers named to Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers “Rising Stars”.
Seven attorneys recognized in World Trademark Review 1000.

“Taft … is an exceptional firm offering highly competitive rates and unparalleled value. They provide comprehensive support for trademark matters, including clearance searches, portfolio management and disputes. The team is highly responsive, accurate and adaptable to unique needs. Their practical, actionable advice is consistently delivered on a timely basis, making them both responsive and cost-effective.”
– World Trademark Review 1000

“The firm handles very complex and high-value work, especially in relation to complex products and the changing legal landscape.”
– Chambers USA

“They’re direct, concise and practical. They tell me what I need to do directly and have a deep-rooted understanding of business.”
– Chambers USA

“The attorneys at Taft … provide excellent work at a great price point.”
– Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” (Patent Law)

“The firm has turned Hatch-Waxman litigation into an art form…. It also exhibits a deft touch on other crucial instructions, including post-grant proceedings, portfolio evaluation, and transactions.”
– IAM Patent 1000