The world’s leading auto manufacturers trust Kenyon & Kenyon LLP to protect, enforce and defend their intellectual property assets. We handle IP matters involving core technologies that are widely used throughout the auto industry, as well innovations that are setting new standards for design, safety and environmental protection.
Kenyon's experience in the automotive industry includes winning summary judgment motions and jury verdicts in cases brought in the busiest forums for patent litigation. We draw upon our understanding of how litigants fare in each jurisdiction to recommend and win motions to transfer cases to courts where our clients are most likely to reach their goals within budget and timeline constraints. We also defend our clients’ rights to import products into the world’s second largest automobile market. Led by attorneys who formerly worked at the International Trade Commission, our ITC specialists are prepared to protect foreign auto manufacturers from the detrimental impacts of exclusion orders. Kenyon's attorneys have initiated and defended more than 30 ITC actions.
Our skill at winning patent litigation disputes for clients hinges in part on the knowledge we have gained via prosecuting patents pertaining to nearly every type of auto component and system. Furthermore, with over 80 attorneys who hold undergraduate and/or advanced degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and materials science, Kenyon possesses an intrinsic understanding of automotive technologies. This facilitates our clients’ abilities to invest in innovations that keep them at the leading edge while knowing that they are supported by attorneys who are equipped to guide them through the processes and procedures used to obtain durable asset protection.
While our understanding of automotive technology distinguishes us among our peers, our sophistication and experience in the industry are of particular value to our clients. As trusted counsel to leading European, Asian and US auto manufacturers, Kenyon has the perspective to guide clients on decisions that have widespread business implications. We advise clients on product development and investment decisions, and negotiate agreements pertaining to licenses, exports and technology transfers. We also handle trademark searches and filing campaigns that protect new product lines and, in certain instances, help companies re-establish goodwill in the face of consumer confidence crises. With an innate understanding of the IP protection strategies that facilitate success in the automotive industry, Kenyon offers the full-scale IP protection that companies need in order to realize the full value of their technologies and IP assets.
Below is an illustrative sampling of the many automotive technologies that Kenyon has protected for clients:
- fuel cells
- fuel injection systems
- brakes and braking control systems
- ignition systems
- security, alarm and alert systems
- rearview mirrors
- steering systems
- GPS and navigation equipment
- transmissions and drive-line systems
- drive-by-wire systems
- turbo- and superchargers
- traction control systems
- restraint and safety systems
- wheel, tire and bearing systems
- exhaust and emission control systems
- internal combustion engines and components
- entertainment systems
- telephony and communication systems
- haptic control systems
- lighting and illumination systems
- engine management systems
- seating systems
- automotive body, chassis and frame systems
- climate control systems
- suspension systems
- radar systems
- electrical systems
- cruise control systems
- valve systems
- instruments, display and instrument panel systems
- sensor systems