IPWatchdog Unleashed
Each week we journey into the world of intellectual property to discuss the law, news, policy and politics of innovation, technology, and creativity. With analysis and commentary from industry thought leaders and newsmakers from around the world, IPWatchdog Unleashed is hosted by world renowned patent attorney and founder of IPWatchdog.com, Gene Quinn.
IPWatchdog Unleashed
Patent Counts vs. Patent Value: Patent Strategy in the AI Age
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This week on IPWatchdog Unleashed, our host and the founder of IPWatchdog, Gene Quinn, speaks with Joel Meyer. An IP attorney and innovation strategist with more than 30 years of experience building and monetizing technology portfolios, Meyer joins Gene to examine how the AI transformation is reshaping innovation and IP strategy. Drawing on his experience with digital watermarking and other advanced technologies, they explore software and functional claiming, the persistent challenges surrounding patent eligibility, and why many concerns labeled as “abstractness” may be better addressed through Section 112—and, in some cases, Section 103.
The conversation then turns to the strategic choices facing startups and growth companies, including when to patent, when to rely on trade secrets, and why simply accumulating patent numbers is rarely the right objective. Meyer and Quinn discuss the importance of building foundational patent specifications that preserve optionality, support protection at multiple levels of generality, and anticipate competitive technologies, alternative implementations and future market developments. They also examine AI-assisted patent drafting and searching, including why an AI-generated application that looks polished may still be little more than a product specification without the strategic architecture necessary to create durable IP value.
Finally, Gene and Joel explore the evolving role of IP counsel as a strategic business partner rather than merely a producer of patents. For emerging companies in particular, effective IP strategy requires understanding the technology, competitive landscape, business model and investor expectations—and identifying the protectable advantages that can become meaningful barriers to entry. The takeaway is a forward-looking discussion about using patents, trade secrets and AI tools together to create value, anticipate disruption and preserve strategic options as technologies and markets evolve.
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