Protecting Software Intellectual Property through Patenting

Many companies build software that is an integral part of their business. Software may be the company’s product or an enabling technology for design and development of the product and, as such, may embody the company’s intellectual property.

In this presentation and the panel discussion that follows, we will discuss how such intellectual property (IP) can be protected through patenting and other IP tools. After a general overview of patents, we will discuss which aspects of software technology may be patented, challenges to patenting software, and when there is business value in doing so. We will also touch on additional topics including other IP tools (e.g., copyright and trade secrets), IP strategy for start-ups, and enforcement. 

Join us in welcoming panelists Dan Rudoy, Elisabeth Hunt, and Nicole Amar from Wolf Greenfield Intellectual Property Law. The panel discussion will be moderated by Jennifer Rexford, Gordon Y.S. Wu Professor of Engineering and Chair of the Computer Science Department.

Panelist Bios

Dan Rudoy, Shareholder, Electrical & Computer Technologies Practice, focuses his practice on patent prosecution in the areas of artificial intelligence, speech and image processing, industrial automation, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, cybersecurity, autonomous devices, software, medical devices, computer security, networking, radar systems, and electronics. Dan earned his BA in Mathematics, BS in Computer Science and Engineering and MS in Computer and Information Science from University of Pennsylvania. He earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Harvard University and JD from Suffolk University Law School. 

Elisabeth Hunt, Shareholder, Electrical & Computer Technologies Practice, represents clients primarily in post-grant contested matters. Her technical experience spans a wide range of electrical and computer technologies, including speech technology, language understanding, machine learning, 3D printing, media technology, accessibility technology, social networking, gaming, financial transactions, data storage and recovery, signal processing, software, and electronics. Elisabeth earned her BS in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University, MS and PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and JD from Suffolk University Law. 

Nicole Amar, Associate, Mechanical Technologies Practice, focuses her practice on patent counseling, preparation, and prosecution in the mechanical space. She has experience representing clients in a wide range of technologies, including medical devices, 3D printing, electronics, and consumer products. Nicole also has experience litigating intellectual property matters before US District Courts and the International Trade Commission. Nicole earned her BS and MA in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and JD from Boston College Law School.