Intellectual Property

Global intellectual property lawyers – holistic counsel to scale, protect and defend innovation

Why Cooley

  • Top-tier IP law firm: prosecution, counseling and litigation

    As a fully integrated, full-service intellectual property law practice, we provide the IP prosecution, counseling and litigation services necessary to help clients protect the value of innovations throughout their life cycle. With 120+ global IP lawyers, we bridge the gap between complex technology and legal strategy – adapting in real time to competitive threats, regulatory shifts and changing deal timelines.

  • Protecting IP assets and trade secrets for long-term scalability

    From industry leaders to high-growth startups, Cooley’s experienced IP and patent lawyers protect the ideas, innovations and branding that drive market share. As a leading law firm for disruptive technologies, our intellectual property guidance is geared toward increasing business value, attracting venture capital investors, and deterring competition through patent and trademark strategies.

  • High-stakes IP and patent litigation and dispute resolution

    Our IP litigation team includes trial-ready lawyers with experience in patent infringement, trademark disputes, copyright law and trade secret litigation. We bring judgement sharpened by wins across key forums, including US federal circuit, appellate and district courts, the PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board), the TTAB (Trademark Trial and Appeal Board), and Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

  • IP transactional services: licensing, due diligence and M&A

    We manage the full range of IP transactions, including technology licensing agreements, co-development partnerships and distribution deals. Our team anticipates issues early and aligns IP strategy with our clients’ growth goals, frequently leading IP due diligence in high-value financings, initial public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions to ensure IP assets are robust and defensible.

Industry-leading intellectual property knowledge across high-growth sectors

Cooley’s IP lawyers provide tailored legal strategies for industries where innovation is the primary currency. We align your IP portfolio with the specific commercial realities of your market.

  • Life sciences and healthcare: We offer market-leading depth in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Our team leads complex life sciences IP litigation and Hatch-Waxman disputes, ensuring breakthrough therapies and diagnostic tools remain protected through rigorous patent strategies.
  • Technology and software: From AI and machine learning to cloud computing and fintech, we help companies maintain the pace of innovation – protecting the code and architectures that power the digital economy even as governance frameworks are still taking shape. We excel in artificial intelligence governance and alternative data monetization, helping tech disruptors scale globally.
  • Consumer products and retail: We defend the brand identity of global leaders through strategic trademark and copyright We advise clients on pharmaceutical and medtech branding, false advertising defense, and anti-counterfeiting programs.
  • Clean energy and sustainability: Cooley supports the “green tech” revolution by securing IP rights for renewable energy solutions, sustainable agriculture and carbon-capture innovations, positioning companies in these sectors for significant venture capital investment.
  • Media and entertainment: Our lawyers navigate the intersection of content and technology, advising on copyright protection, digital distribution deals and rights of publicity in an increasingly decentralized media landscape.

Global reach and deep technical experience

Comprehensive IP counseling: Patents, trademarks and copyrights

Cooley’s IP counseling and prosecution team has decades of experience navigating the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and UK/EU regulatory bodies. Our patent lawyers draft and defend utility patents, design patents and global trademark portfolios.

International IP strategy and foreign filing

For commercially significant markets outside the US and Europe, we leverage a vetted network of foreign counsel in 100+ jurisdictions. We provide a single point of contact for global IP portfolio management, protecting rights across nearly 200 countries.

  • 500+

    US patent, trademark and copyright district court cases handled since 2020

  • 2,200+

    companies rely on Cooley’s comprehensive IP counseling worldwide

  • 2,000+

    patents and trademarks under Cooley management globally in 2025

Recognition

World Trademark Review 1000: Gold band – Trademark Law (2026)

Life Sciences Patent Network: Shortlists – Life Sciences IP Firm of the Year, Life Sciences IP Litigation Firm of the Year, Life Sciences Prosecution Firm of the Year (2026)

Chambers USA: Band 2 for Intellectual Property – Nationwide (2025)

Managing IP “IP Stars”: United States – National: Tier 1 – IP Transactions (2025)

Managing IP “IP Stars”: United States – National: Tier 2 – Patent Prosecution, Patent Disputes, PTAB Litigation, Trademark Disputes, Life Sciences IP (2025)

The American Lawyer: Finalist – IP Litigation Department of the Year (2023, 2025)

LMG Life Sciences: Hatch-Waxman Litigation Firm of the Year – Branded (2024)

LMG Life Sciences: Finalist – General Patent Litigation Firm of the Year (2024)

Cooley has a strong team of partners and associates and a high-quality service; they are always responsive and engaged.

Chambers USA, 2025

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