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Computer Software and Hardware

Software patents covering computer-implemented inventions are among the most common types of patents pursued by software companies and other types of companies worldwide. Regardless of whether the software is run locally or in the cloud, or whether the software is used by consumers or businesses, patent protection of software-related innovations is sought in the United States and in other countries for numerous reasons. For example, development and management of a quality patent portfolio is important to create barriers to entry for competitors, to deter costly patent litigation, to reduce royalty payments to competitors, to attract investors and obtain funding, and to provide a revenue stream for the business through monetization.

Although their value is widely recognized, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain software patents around the world. The number of software patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office has decreased as United States courts have struggled with defining patentable subject matter in the context of software. In Europe, fewer patents covering computer-implemented inventions have been issued in recent years due to more stringent inventive step analysis with regard to technical effect provided by claimed features. As such, steps must be taken at the drafting stage and at certain points throughout prosecution to increase the likelihood of obtaining software patents in the United States and other jurisdictions.

We utilize our extensive and varied experience with software patent matters to protect our client's intellectual property worldwide. By staying abreast of recent law changes in the United States and other countries, and by increasing the synergy between our firm and our unsurpassed foreign associates, we continue to overcome the difficulties associated with obtaining software patents in the United States and other countries.

Patent protection for innovations related to computer hardware is commonly sought for many of the same reasons as computer software. Businesses operating in a variety of industries find value in developing and maintaining a patent portfolio that includes computer hardware patents.

Similar to software patents, there are many jurisdiction-specific nuances that must be taken into account to obtain computer hardware patents across the world. We leverage our expansive experience in the computer arts to assist clients with computer hardware patent matters in the United States and other countries.

Representative Industries and Applications

We can assist clients with domestic and/or international patent matters related to any of the following industries or applications:

  • AgTech (Agricultural Technology)
  • Analog & Digital Signal Processing
  • Audio & Video
  • Children's Toys
  • Communications & Telecommunications
  • Computer Architecture
  • Consumer Products
  • Control Systems
  • Data Processing, Data Storage & Data Structures
  • Deposition Techniques
    • Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) & Sputtering
    • Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
  • Displays
    • Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Displays
    • Laser Displays
    • Light Emitting Diode (LED) Displays
    • Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
    • Stacked or Multi-Layer Displays (MLDs)
    • Virtual/Augmented Reality & Wearable Displays
    • Others
  • Education & Learning
  • Encryption & Decryption
  • Entertainment
  • Gaming
  • Graphics Processing & Graphics Processing Analysis
  • Hard Disk Drives & Other Media
  • Internet & E-commerce
  • Portable Electronic Devices
    • Mobile Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Others
  • Power Management
  • Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
  • Product Manufacturing
  • Semiconductor Design & Manufacturing
    • Programmable Logic Devices (FPGAs, etc.)
    • Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)
    • Programmable System-On-Chip (e.g., SOCs, PSOCs, etc.)
    • Graphics Processors & Microprocessors
    • Other Integrated Circuits
    • Design Modeling, Verification & Synthesis
    • Design Prototyping & Physical Implementation
    • Integrated Circuit Packaging
  • Simulation/Emulation/Debugging
  • Software
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning
    • Cloud Computing
    • Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
    • Control Systems
    • Data/Content Storage, Processing & Management
    • Digital Signal Processing
    • Educational/Learning
    • Embedded Software
    • Enterprise (e.g., B2B, B2C, CRM, ERP, etc.)
    • Graphics Processing
    • Internet & E-commerce
    • Operating Systems
    • Search Engines
    • Security
    • Social Networking
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • User Interfaces
    • Visual Distortion Correction (Chromatic & Geometrical)
    • Others
  • Others