In California, an employer’s invention-assignment agreement often looks like it gives the company ownership of every idea an employee touches. For engineers at high-growth technology companies, physicians at academic medical centers, and professors consulting with industry, the stakes are substantial: entire product lines, patent families, and startup equity positions can turn on which inventions the…

A U.S. patent lawyer talks about how patent strategy affects startup valuation, defensibility, and funding outcomes in this article about why patents are important for investors. When our client, HiberTec Homes, walked onto the Shark Tank stage and got a $1 million deal from Barbara Corcoran for 20% equity, something small happened that most people…

We are proud to announce that Cohen IP Law Group, P.C. has been officially ranked in the Chambers Spotlight California 2026 Guide for Intellectual Property in Los Angeles. Chambers and Partners is widely regarded as the “gold standard” of legal rankings. Unlike many “pay-to-play” awards, Chambers rankings are based on rigorous, independent research and in-depth interviews with clients and peers. This…

The letter arrives with an attorney’s letterhead, federal trademark citations, and a demand that you stop using a name, logo, or phrase immediately. It may also demand destruction of inventory, transfer of a domain, or payment of damages. Take a breath. The letter is serious. It is not necessarily correct. A cease and desist letter…

Short answer: Maybe, but your window may be closing faster than you think. U.S. patent law gives inventors exactly one year from the date of first public sale or disclosure to file a patent application. That clock starts the moment your product hits the market, not when you decide you’re ready to deal with IP. If…

As we move further into 2026, the past rules are no longer just evolving, they are moving in different directions. For innovators and business owners, knowing the difference between how patents are examined and how their enforceability is now the difference between a valuable asset and a costly legal rejection. Cohen IP has been tracking…

We all remember the monumental shift of Twitter to “X” after Elon Musk made the controversial acquisition of the social media company in 2022. So when a big tech company changes its name overnight, it can have more than just cosmetic effects. A new cancellation petition filed with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)…

In fields that are tech-heavy, we continue to see a plethora of fights over intellectual property between employees and employers. This is especially true when employees change jobs, relocate to a new country, or transition to a startup. Employers use assignment agreements, confidentiality clauses, and research and development (R&D) processes to protect their intellectual property…

If you’re an out-of-state company being sued in California courts, you may have solid defenses to strike back at the case before it even begins. One of the most powerful weapons is a motion to quash or motion to dismiss on grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction. Can Out-of-State Businesses Be Sued in California? Plaintiffs…