Computer Systems, Software & Networking

Software and computing technologies increasingly define how products operate, communicate, and deliver value. From distributed computing platforms and enterprise software to communications networks, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and connected devices, protecting these innovations requires intellectual property counsel who understand both the underlying technology and the evolving legal standards that apply to computer-implemented inventions.

At Perilla Knox & Hildebrandt, our patent attorneys help companies protect innovations across computer systems, software, networking, and communications technologies. Our experience spans computer architectures, operating systems, databases, cloud and distributed computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, networking protocols, wireless communications, data processing, user interfaces, embedded software, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

We work directly with software developers, engineers, computer scientists, founders, and in-house legal teams to understand how a technology works and identify the technical innovations that distinguish it from existing systems. Whether an invention resides in software architecture, an algorithm, a communications protocol, a computing platform, or the interaction between software and hardware, we develop intellectual property strategies around the features that provide meaningful technical and commercial advantages.

Technical understanding for rapidly evolving technologies.

Computer and networking technologies rarely operate in isolation. Modern systems may combine specialized software, cloud infrastructure, databases, artificial intelligence, communications protocols, mobile devices, embedded processors, sensors, and distributed computing resources into a single technology platform.

Our attorneys have technical backgrounds and experience that allow us to work across these interconnected disciplines. We assist clients with innovations involving computer architecture, software platforms, data structures and processing, cloud computing, distributed systems, virtualization, networking and communications protocols, cybersecurity, authentication, encryption, artificial intelligence and machine learning, computer vision, user interfaces, embedded systems, mobile applications, and connected devices.

For software and computer-implemented inventions, effective patent protection also requires careful attention to how the technology is described and claimed. We develop patent applications and prosecution strategies with issues such as patent eligibility, prior art, novelty, obviousness, enablement, written description, functional claiming, claim scope, and potential design-arounds in mind.

Our Clients.

We represent technology companies and innovators throughout the product lifecycle, from founders and emerging companies developing new software platforms and computing technologies to established businesses and global enterprises managing substantial patent portfolios.

Our clients develop technologies across software, telecommunications, networking, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, electronics, automotive systems, industrial technologies, medical technologies, and connected consumer products.

Whether protecting a new software architecture, developing a patent portfolio around an artificial intelligence platform, securing protection for networking or communications technologies, expanding coverage around successive product generations, or evaluating intellectual property in a competitive technology market, we work closely with technical and business teams to develop strategies aligned with the technology and broader business objectives.