Featured Articles

To patent or not to patent?

To patent or not to patent, that is the right question. Don’t get us at Tangibly started on “patent vs. trade secret” or “patent or trade secret”.  There’s no reason why a creative IP advisor can’t consider both patents AND trade secrets. The right initial question to...

The AI IP Gold Rush Meets the § 101 Minefield

We are living in an artificial intelligence (AI) gold rush. From large language models that write code to machine learning systems that optimize logistics or predict disease, AI innovations are transforming nearly every sector. For many companies, especially startups...

Can AI be an inventor? USPTO clarifies the role of human inventors

The USPTO issued new inventorship guidance for AI assisted inventions on November 28, 2025, relating to the hot topic of AI-assisted inventions.  Please note that this only applies to examiners within the USPTO, and not to courts, congress, other countries’ patent...

Episode 19: From Copyright to Trade Secrets: Anthropic’s Impact on AI & IP

In this episode Tim and Chris unpack the Inevitable Disclosure Doctrine, a century old trade secret rule that began in 1902 when a sugar refinery worker was blocked from joining a competitor. They explain how the doctrine works, the three factors courts consider, and how it is used to prevent potential misuse of trade secrets before any misappropriation occurs. The conversation explores how different states treat the doctrine, reviews the landmark PepsiCo v Redmond case, and looks at how its use has shifted from senior executives to highly skilled engineers, especially in the AI industry. As noncompete agreements face bans and tighter restrictions across the United States, the doctrine is becoming a more important tool for protecting valuable trade secrets.

When to patent and when to keep AI innovations secret

When to patent and when to keep AI innovations secret Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at breakneck speed, from healthcare diagnostics to creative content generation. But behind the hype lies a quieter, more complicated struggle: how do you actually...

9月 24 2025

AI-Powered Protein Engineering Is Forcing Next-Gen IP Strategy and Competitive Analysis

AI-Powered Protein Engineering Is Forcing Next-Gen IP Strategy and Competitive Analysis Authors: Celeste Alvarez, Makda Gebre and Alex Harwig AI isn’t just predicting...
8月 22 2025

The New Face of IP in the AI Age: Why Trade Secrets Matter More Than Ever for Tech [Part 2 of 2]

Imagine this: A consultant starts a competing company after taking your proprietary information while under a confidentiality agreement. You promptly file a trade...
Esplin Legal logo featuring a minimalist black and white design with clean typography and a modern, professional aesthetic.
7月 29 2025

Tangibly and Esplin Legal Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Trade Secret Protection for Innovative Companies

Mintz has partnered with Tangibly, Inc. to bring cutting edge trade secret identification, management, and protection strategies to clients. As part of the...
7月 16 2025

AI is eating your IP

Original Article in IAM Saturday Opinion on June 14, 2025: “AI Is Eating Your IP” Precis: Saturday Opinion: With the aid of Gemini, Tangibly’s Chris Buntel and Tim...
What is a holisitic IP Portfolio

What is a holisitic IP Portfolio

What is a holistic IP portfolio? A holistic IP portfolio is a coordinated strategy for protecting all forms of a company’s intellectual property, from patents and copyrights to trade secrets and proprietary information, in a way that strengthens business value and...

How To Keep AI From Stealing Intellectual Property

How To Keep AI From Stealing Intellectual Property

Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks for businesses. While it drives innovation and efficiency, it also creates vulnerabilities for intellectual property. Companies invest heavily in proprietary technologies, designs, and processes, only to find that AI systems can expose or replicate these assets. Protecting IP in the AI era requires a proactive strategy that combines legal protections, strict oversight, and employee awareness to prevent AI from becoming a liability.

The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property

The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way we create, innovate, and safeguard ideas, but it also introduces intricate questions around intellectual property (IP). The storage and processing of user input by AI models is a central concern. Information uploaded to an AI system, such as text, images, or other data, often becomes incorporated into the model’s memory, either temporarily or permanently. This blurring of lines between user contribution and machine learning challenges traditional IP frameworks. For example, determining ownership rights in AI-generated music based on user input becomes complex. As AI systems advance, legal systems globally are grappling to define ownership and protect creators within this evolving landscape.

Policy and Investment Recommendations for Trustworthy AI

Policy and Investment Recommendations for Trustworthy AI

Policy and Investment Recommendations for Trustworthy AI As artificial intelligence charges forward at an incredible pace, organizations find themselves on a tightrope, balancing lightning fast innovation with the crucial protection of their most valuable assets. The...

ソール・ユーイングとのAIに関するウェビナーは好評でした。

ソール・ユーイングとのAIに関するウェビナーは好評でした。

私たちのウェビナーは、2023年と2024年に最もホットな2つのトピック、AIと営業秘密を組み合わせたものです。AIそのものが営業秘密で保護されるだけでなく、AIの出力も営業秘密になり得ることについて議論しました。知的財産法は、機械が新しいものを創造するのではなく、人が新しいものを創造するという概念に基づいて構築されているため、AIは法律業界にとって興味深いジレンマを提起しています。例えば、特許の発明者は人間でなければならないし、著作権の創作者も同じである。AIの価値ある成果をどのように保護するのがベストなのだろうか?

企業秘密の常勝スタイル

企業秘密の常勝スタイル

特許でエバーグリーンになれるのなら、企業秘密でもできるはずだ。

特許の世界では、「エバーグリーニング」とは、貴重なコア技術の特許保護を「延長」するために、時間をかけて特許を追加出願する戦略のことである。製薬業界がエバーグリーンの最も有名な利用者であるが、携帯電話業界もこの戦略を急速に採用している。

競業避止義務条項に対する新たな攻撃

競業避止義務条項に対する新たな攻撃

Another strike against non-compete clauses, this time from Georgia.  AmSpec sued four ex-employees for violating their employment agreements once they went to work for competing company Camin.  Interestingly, AmSpec did not allege that Camin received or used...