Intellectual Property Law

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the ​issue of whether art generated by artificial intelligence can be copyrighted under U.S. law, turning a case involving a computer scientist from Missouri who was denied a copyright for a piece of visual art made by his AI system. Read more

In early 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court (the “Court”) agreed to hear a case at the heart of pharmaceutical intellectual property that could have significant implications for the manufacturers of both patented and generic drugs. Read more

As we settle into not-quite-winter, not-quite-spring, remind yourselves that flowers are just around the corner. Read more

Each year at the IP Institute, the Section honors outstanding legal professionals for their contributions to the advancement of intellectual property law. Join us at the 49th IP Institute on March 20 – 21, 2026 at The Clift Royal Sonesta to celebrate our recipients. Read more

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) de-designated Proppant Express Investments, LLC v. Oren Technologies, LLC and Adello Biologics LLC v. Amgen Inc. from precedential status. Read more

This panel featured IP attorney Michael Lovitz, better known as the “emperor of comic book law,” along with media lawyer Paul Menes and comic industry pro David Branfman. Together they walked through how comic books and graphic novels actually make their way from the page to film and TV, and what creators should be thinking about from the legal side. Read more

The panel on AI & Copyright in the Entertainment Industry featured Andrew Stroud, Dave Davis, and Matthew Dysart, who discussed the rapidly evolving legal and creative landscape surrounding AI-generated works. Andrew Stroud opened by reaffirming the current state of U.S. copyright law: only human beings can own a copyright. Citing the well-known “monkey selfie” case (Naruto v. Slater), he emphasized that entirely AI-generated works are noteligible for copyright protection (e.g. the recent AI generated Coca-Cola commercial). Stroud believes clearer guidance may emerge within the next one to two years, but he is skeptical that the Copyright Office or the courts will deliver definitive answers. Instead, he expects Congress will ultimately need to address the issue, though he noted that legislative gridlock makes this an uncertain timeline. As of today, the rule remains the same that works created solely by AI cannot receive copyright protection. Read more

Carolyn Hampton, Paramount’s Head of Worldwide Marketing Legal, and Robert Driscoll, Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, delivered an insider’s look at how studios transform films into global brands through strategic partnerships, co-promotions, and merchandising deals. Read more

IP attorney Michael Lovitz, known as the “emperor of comic book law,” and veteran media lawyer Paul Menes led a high-energy, practical session on how comics and graphic novels travel from the page to film and television – and the legal pitfalls creators often encounter along the way. Read more

Moderated by copyright expert Andy Stroud, this panel brought together leading practitioners including Dave Davis (Dave Davis, Chief Content Officer, Protege) and Matthew Dysart (Partner, Greenberg Glusker) to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping copyright law in entertainment. Read more