Williams Mullen's Trending Now: An IP Podcast

The biggest IP issues in a deal are often the ones no one sees coming. When they surface, there may be less time to address them, less leverage to negotiate, and more at stake.

In the latest episode of Trending Now: An IP Podcast, Anika Rogers and Amy Pruett unpack the IP issues that can catch deal teams off guard, from chain-of-title gaps and missing contractor assignments to open-source and AI-generated content, license restrictions, and overlooked data retention practices. They also share practical steps buyers and sellers can take before a transaction is underway to identify potential issues and keep diligence on track.

Key Takeaways:

• IP problems can affect valuation, closing conditions, indemnities, and integration
• Buyers should request ownership evidence for each IP asset early on
• Vendor, software, data, and license terms can be as important as registered IP

In this episode of Trending Now: An IP Podcast, Courtney Reigel and Amy Pruett explore the evolving intersection of art and artificial intelligence (AI), examining the latest litigation and settlement trends affecting artists and creators. From AI-generated artwork to questions about copyright, intellectual property, and creator rights, we break down the legal challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the arts. Whether you're an artist, creative professional, tech company, or legal advisor, this episode provides practical insights into how AI is transforming art, ownership, and the courts.

Key topics include: • Recent AI and art lawsuits and their implications • How settlements are shaping creator rights in the AI era • Intellectual property considerations for artists and businesses using AI tools • Strategies for navigating AI-driven legal disputes

Tune in to understand what AI-generated art means for artists, platforms, and businesses, and stay ahead of the trends in this fast-changing space.

On this episode of Trending Now – An IP Podcast, Janet Cho and former summer associate Evan Klick* explore the evolving intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (IP) law in the life sciences sector.

They break down emerging legal challenges with AI-generated inventions—including inventorship, patent eligibility, trade secret strategy, copyright gaps, and global IP alignment. The episode highlights key questions companies, research institutions, and in-house counsel must consider as they navigate innovation in an AI-driven landscape.

Whether you're advising on IP strategy or building AI platforms, this episode offers practical insights on protecting innovation in a rapidly changing field.

On this episode of Trending Now – An IP Podcast, Carmelle Alipio and Janet Cho discuss one of the most effective tools for enforcing intellectual property rights: the cease-and-desist letter.

We break down the essentials, including:

• What is a cease-and-desist letter and when should you send one?

• The key elements of an effective IP enforcement letter

• Common mistakes rights holders businesses make when sending cease and desist letters

• When to draft it yourself—and when to involve an IP attorney

• Practical tips for protecting your brand and minimizing legal risk

Whether you're dealing with trademark patent infringement, copyright violations, or unauthorized use of your brand, this episode offers practical guidance on how to take action—and avoid costly missteps.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, Janet Cho and Courtney Reigel break down the recent fee changes announced by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They explore what's changing, why it matters, and how these adjustments may impact trademark applicants, owners, and practitioners. Whether you're managing a portfolio or navigating the application process, this conversation offers practical insights into how to prepare for and respond to the updated fee structure.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, John McInnis and Ed White will look at the continued implementation and evolution of the NCAA Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Policy and where things stand for universities, athletes, states and collectives.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, Carmelle Alipio and Rob Van Arnam provide an update on the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), including litigation trends, orders and key takeaways.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, Clinton Brannon and Janet Cho discuss residual goodwill in trademarks, including what it comprises and how it may be asserted.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, Courtney Reigel and Amy Pruett provide an update on recent cases regarding the use of AI to clone voices and some of the legal issues with deepfakes on the Internet.

In this episode of Trending Now - An IP Podcast, Rakesh Parikh, Aaron Fadden and Janet Cho provide their insights into some of the nuances of corporate transactions involving intellectual property. Transactions that involve patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, and other proprietary assets often present a unique set of challenges that many transactional attorneys may not be familiar with. Tune in to hear our hosts explain these challenges and describe some things to look out for during your next transaction involving intellectual property.