• Our IP transactional lawyers prepare and negotiate complex license agreements to help clients commercialize their IP and gain access to desirable third-party IP. We routinely advise on licensing of patents, software, software-as-a-service (SaaS), data, trade secrets and knowhow. We take the time to understand our clients’ short- and long-term business goals, then tailor agreements to maximize the return and minimize the risks associated with a particular transaction.

  • We help clients resolve issues arising from joint ventures, strategic alliances and collaborative developments involving the exploitation of IP and technology, such as cross-licensing arrangements, co-development programs, collaboration on IP litigation and allocation of rights post-collaboration. We also counsel on the IP aspects of large-scale joint operations agreements with international ramifications.

  • Dechert lawyers perform IP due diligence assessments of deals for pre-public startups, large publicly traded companies, private equity and venture capital investors, issuers of commercial papers and underwriters. We counsel clients on choosing the deal structure that will maximize the value and enforceability of their IP assets. Our IP diligence includes assessing patent, trademark and copyright portfolios, reviewing license agreements, confirming IP ownership, assessing the adequacy of IP disclosures under securities laws, evaluating the strength and value of lead programs and developed and clinical stage products, assessing trade secret protection programs and the management of privacy issues and appraising R&D programs.

    We recognize that our assessments are critical to our clients’ decisions on potential investments, acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, co-developments and licensing arrangements, so we are committed to providing all of the information required to make an informed decision while also being sensitive to cost considerations.

  • We advise clients on agreements with technical services providers, software vendors, third-party publishers, outsourcing companies and financial services firms pertaining to the configuration and implementation of arrangements for the provision of technology-based services, including software development and support, digital identity authentication, country-risk analysis, application provider and internet access.

    Our team also assists companies in establishing proprietary electronic platforms that provide data, products, research and related services worldwide; drafting and negotiating user agreements, vendor hosting and support agreements and customer licenses and terms of use; and creating and providing private label systems.