Blog

From the biotech hubs of Cambridge to the software startups in Providence and the manufacturing innovators in Hartford, New England remains a powerhouse of invention. But in 2025, the rules of the game are changing faster than ever. Artificial intelligence is generating patentable inventions, gene-editing technologies are pushing ethical boundaries, and global supply chains are forcing companies to rethink trade secret protection. At **New England IP Law Group**, we’ve helped hundreds of regional businesses—from MIT spinouts to legacy manufacturers—secure, defend, and monetize their intellectual property. This blog explores three critical trends shaping IP strategy in our region and actionable steps you can take *today* to stay ahead. --- 1. AI-Generated Inventions: Who Owns the Breakthrough? The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has made it clear: **only human inventors can be listed on patents**. Yet companies like Anthropic and Google are filing patents on AI-assisted discoveries daily. The New England Angle - **Boston’s AI Corridor**: With hubs at Kendall Square and the Seaport, local startups are using AI to accelerate drug discovery and materials science. - **Recent Precedent**: In *Thaler v. Vidal* (2022, affirmed 2024), the Federal Circuit ruled AI cannot be an inventor. But what about *human-guided* AI systems? ### Actionable Strategy | Step | Recommendation | |------|----------------| | 1 | Document **human contribution** at every stage of AI-assisted invention | | 2 | Use **joint development agreements** when collaborating with AI vendors | | 3 | File provisional patents early—AI moves fast, and so should you | **Pro Tip**: Treat your AI prompts and training datasets as potential trade secrets. We’ve seen six-figure licensing deals turn on proprietary prompt engineering. ## 2. CRISPR and Beyond: Patent Pools in Gene Editing The Broad Institute vs. UC Berkeley CRISPR patent battle may be settled, but the **commercial licensing landscape remains fragmented**. ### What’s New in 2025? - **Patent Pool Launch**: MPEG LA-style pools for base editing and prime editing technologies. - **FDA’s Stance**: Gene therapies now require proof of **freedom-to-operate** for foundational patents. ### Connecticut & Rhode Island Impact Yale and Brown University spinouts are leading in **CAR-T and RNA therapeutics**. One client saved $2.3M in licensing fees by joining the Editas Medicine patent pool early. ### Your Checklist - [ ] Audit your CRISPR tech stack for **overlapping IP** - [ ] Consider **defensive publishing** for non-core improvements - [ ] Explore **cross-licensing** with university TLOs ## 3. Trade Secrets in a Remote Work World The **Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA)** turned 9 this year, but remote work and cloud collaboration have created new vulnerabilities. ### The Seacoast Manufacturing Case Study A New Hampshire precision machining firm lost a $15M contract when an ex-employee’s OneDrive contained CAD files. The twist? The employee claimed they were “personal copies.” ### Prevention Framework ```mermaid graph TD A[Employee Onboarding] --> B[NDAs + Invention Assignment] B --> C[Cloud DLP Policies] C --> D[Exit Interviews + Device Wipes] D --> E[Annual Trade Secret Audits] ``` ## Emerging Threats: Deepfakes and Trademark Infringement AI voice cloning tools can now replicate your CEO’s voice in 30 seconds. We’re seeing a **300% uptick** in trademark disputes involving: - Deepfake ads on TikTok - AI-generated competitor product renderings - NFT trademark squatting ### Defensive Playbook 1. **Register sound marks** for jingles and voice assets 2. Monitor **AI training datasets** (yes, your logo might be in Stable Diffusion) 3. Use **Section 43(a)** Lanham Act claims for false endorsement --- ## Conclusion: Your IP Strategy Needs a 2025 Upgrade New England’s innovation economy thrives when IP protection evolves with technology. Whether you’re a solo founder in Burlington or a CTO at a Worcester medtech firm, the time to audit your portfolio is **now**. ### Next Steps - **Schedule a Free 30-Minute IP Audit** with our team → [Book here](#) - **Download our 2025 IP Checklist** → [PDF Download](#) - **Follow us** for weekly case law updates from the First Circuit

Basics of patenting