IP Transactions, Agreements & Venture Capital

Overview

Clients choose Knobbe Martens to handle their intellectual property transactions, agreements, and venture capital deals because our lawyers and professionals possess a unique blend of technical, legal, strategic, and business acumen.

Our approach begins by understanding our clients’ strategic near- and long-term business objectives, recognizing that successful transactions require nuanced alignment with these goals. Whether acquiring, selling, licensing, or partnering with strategics, we prioritize safeguarding technology-based assets.

We ensure our legal services act as catalysts for, not hindrances to, our clients’ business objectives. Working in conjunction with in-house legal and corporate teams, our collaborative spirit facilitates smooth transactions and tackles challenges seamlessly.

A key strength lies in our ability to promptly and effectively distill complex legal issues into clear, succinct business terms and perspectives. From structuring and negotiating technology-based commercial transactions to providing counsel in venture capital matters, we strive to offer practical and actionable guidance.

Venture Capital, M&A and IPOs

In the venture capital arena, we have deep experience in life sciences, including medtech, biotech, and pharma. We also conduct and defend venture due diligence in many fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, aerospace, and consumer goods. We play a pivotal role providing counseling on fundraising, investments, mergers, and exit strategies to both investors and emerging companies. We have experience with both traditional initial public offerings (IPOs) and special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) IPOs.

Tech Transfer

We assist top research institutions and universities in various transactions, such as technology transfers. We also work with companies to license technology from such organizations, and have decades of experience in working with Offices of Tech Transfer around the world.

License Agreements

In conjunction with our network of international associates, we can handle licensing matters wherever and whenever our clients require. Furthermore, we can help them in-license or out-license technologies to create supplemental revenue streams. In addition, we aid our clients through license to quickly and effectively address issues that may arise during diligence or partnering/acquisition negotiations.

Trademark Licensing

Knobbe attorneys counsel clients on trademark licensing, working hand-in-hand to establish licensing programs to monetize trademark portfolios. We represent companies in the life sciences, cosmetic, apparel, and entertainment industries, among others, in trademark licensing transactions. We work closely with our clients to establish licensing programs, negotiate agreements, ensure compliance with quality control provisions, and enforce licensed rights.

High-profile clients, including those in the entertainment and sport industries, turn to Knobbe to address their rights of publicity, trademark rights and endorsement deals. We also have deep experience with due diligence and clearance issues for licensed properties and brand and product line extensions.

Copyright Licensing

Our copyright licensing teams assist clients with licensing software and entertainment properties, as well as online and social media content. We also counsel clients on issues involving software development and licensing of open-source code.

Patent Licensing

We have vast experience in licensing cutting-edge technology and medical devices, establishing best practices for licensing programs, and tracking patent portfolio licenses.

Our clients span industries ranging from biotechnology, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences to semiconductor, software, AI, telecommunications, consumer goods, and medical devices. Where myriad technologies and clients are involved—such as cross-licensing and industry standards licensing—we can quickly understand and navigate multi-party rights in a patent landscape.

Our attorneys have experience leading intellectual property transactions in Licensing, Strategic Partnering, Venture Capital, M&A Deals, and IPOs. Some examples include:

Patent, Copyright and Trademark License Agreements
Technology Acquisition and Sale Agreements
Reseller and OEM Agreements
Distribution, Supply, and Manufacturing Agreements
Joint Development Agreements
Employee, Contractor & Vendor Agreements
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA)
Professional Service and Consulting Agreements
Joint Venture Agreements
Developing Strategic Licensing Programs
Website Terms and Conditions and Terms of Use (TOU)
End User License Agreements (EULA)
Copyright Releases
Outsourcing Agreements
Clinical Trial Agreements
M&A Closing Documents
IP Reps and Warranties
Public Offering Documents
Material Transfer Agreements

Representative Experience

The Rockefeller University v. Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This matter involved biological assay technology related to drug development. We represented the defendant in a technology license dispute relating to GlaxoSmithKline’s Promacta-brand product. Our team helped to successfully obtain a favorable settlement prior to expert discovery.

Alios BioPharma

The firm handled the intellectual property aspects of Alios Biopharma’s recent collaboration deal with Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Alios is a biopharmaceutical company that employs molecular modeling and replicon assays for drug screening. Vertex obtained rights to two hepatitis C drugs from Alios in a transaction worth up to $1.5 billion, said to be the largest preclinical licensing deal in history. Knobbe Martens developed an IP strategy for Alios, filed Alios’ patent applications, analyzed potential third-party risks and strategies for market clearance, and assisted Alios in the due diligence aspects of the deal with Vertex.