In this crossover episode of The Upper Brand and Tech Talks, hosts Rich Assmus, Kristine Young, and Julian Dibbell explore how brand licensing functions as a capital-efficient growth strategy—accelerating entry into new markets, categories, and geographies by pairing a company's brand equity or technology with a partner's manufacturing and distribution strengths. They walk through the practical lifecycle of a successful deal—from readiness and IP protection to partner diligence and crisp term sheets—and then dive into contract mechanics such as scope clarity, tailored royalty structures, calibrated exclusivity with performance milestones, and rigorous quality control. The discussion also addresses modern considerations including audits, ownership of improvements, AI-generated outputs and data compliance, sublicensing controls, exit planning, and dispute frameworks. Their closing advice: operationalize quality and align incentives so both parties win when the partnership wins. Episode Show Notes: 00:02 Introduction to IP Partnerships and Brand Licensing 3:15 Readiness checklist 4:56 Contract scope and definitions 6:28 Exclusively without handcuffs 8:09 Oversight and ownership 9:55 Sublicensing, terms, and termination 11:37 Built-in resilience

This episode of Tech Talks outlines why intercompany licensing—clear ownership, licensees, and exclusive rights—is vital for operations and litigation standing. It flags exit tax and transfer pricing exposure tied to DEMPE functions and valuation disputes, which can cause double taxation without strong documentation. Mayer Brown partners Jim Ferguson and Jason Osborn, along with host Julian Dibbell, review enforcement nuances for patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, and the need to update employment agreements to assign future inventions to the right affiliate. Their takeaway: align structures with business reality and coordinate IP and tax teams early.

As companies expand global operations, they are forced to navigate a patchwork of local IP laws, data and artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, and ever-shifting geopolitical tensions. Without sufficient diligence, planning, and contracting, companies can fall victim to IP leakage, downstream disputes, data protection and export control problems, and impediments to innovation. In this episode, Mayer Brown partners discuss key IP issues that arise in global outsourcing and cross-border technology transactions and offers practical recommendations for structuring deals that safeguard innovation.

As generative AI transforms the way businesses operate, understanding copyright risks has never been more critical. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell sits down with Rich Assmus and Brian Nolan, partners in our Intellectual Property practice, to unpack the U.S. Copyright Office's latest report on generative AI and copyright law. They dive into the high-stakes legal questions surrounding the use of copyrighted content to train AI models, including hot-button issues like model weights and retrieval-augmented generation. They also discuss how courts may apply the fair use doctrine to generative AI, with a close look at transformativeness, market impact, and other key factors.

Just two months in, 2025 is already delivering significant developments in AI and technology law. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell is joined by Rich Assmus, a partner in our Intellectual Property practice, to discuss Thomson Reuters v. Ross, a closely watched case with important implications for AI and data usage. We start by outlining the key facts and legal framework the court considered before turning to the central issue of the ruling: fair use. Rich explains how the court applied the four key factors of fair use and what this analysis means in the context of AI and data technology. We also explore the broader implications of the decision and its potential impact on other cases involving AI and training data—and on companies looking to contract for AI products and services. Join us for an insightful discussion on one of the year's most notable legal decisions in this evolving area of law.

2025 is shaping up to be a busy year in tech. While blustery economic tailwinds continue to drive digital transformation, a new presidential administration promises shifts in policy that will likely keep businesses on their toes. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell is joined by Rohith George, Joe Pennell, Brad Peterson, and Scott Young, partners from all across our Technology & IP Transactions practice, to provide perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We will discuss the expected increase in M&A activity, the impact of venture capital on emerging tech companies, the growing significance of AI in dealmaking, and the challenges posed by regulatory uncertainty.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped the facilities management (FM) outsourcing landscape. Companies have transitioned from fully office-based work to home-based work, and now to hybrid models, prompting a reevaluation of space utilization. In this episode partner Rohith George, along with host Julian Dibbell, explore how FM providers are adapting to these changes, leveraging technology and data, and addressing sustainability and data security challenges.

Companies, across a variety of industries, are increasingly taking a multi-channel approach to core product and service delivery. While a company-owned website or app often remains the primary way for the company to interface with and deliver services to its customers, third-party platforms can sometimes be an attractive additional channel through which customers can be acquired and maintained. This means negotiating and entering into platform agreements that are intended to bring mutual benefit to both the company and the platform provider. In this episode, Rohith George and Corina Cercelaru, along with host Julian Dibbell, will explore key issues for companies to consider when engaging with customer-facing platform providers and recommend approaches to take in order to achieve a successful collaboration.

In this episode of Tech Talks, we discuss the Federal Trade Commission's recent ban on non-compete agreements and its implications for employers, as well as strategies for protecting confidential information and trade secrets. Join Gail Levine and Kristine Young, along with host Julian Dibbell, as they explore the practical and contractual measures employers can adopt, the potential consequences if the FTC's rule is struck down, and best practices for contracting with third parties.

In this episode, we explore the ever-evolving realm of AI regulation and how it's reshaping technology transactions and internal governance worldwide. Join host Julian Dibbell and guests Ana Bruder, Arsen Kourinian, and Oliver Yaros as they discuss what's happening in the EU, the US, and the UK, respectively, and how companies can navigate compliance in this changing environment.