L.A. TECH & MEDIA LAW FIRM – Intellectual Property & Technology Attorneys
Los Angeles Startup Patent Attorney: Protecting Your Technical Moat
Strategic Utility & Design Patent Counsel for the AI and Hardware Revolution
In the fast-moving tech corridors of Silicon Beach and beyond, a patent is more than a certificate—it is a strategic asset that defines your company’s valuation. However, the “Alice/Mayo” framework and new 2026 USPTO guidelines have changed the rules for software and AI-assisted inventions
At L.A. Tech & Media Law Firm, we consult tech startups on the “First-to-File” system focusing on drafting concise, defensible claims that withstand the scrutiny of both the Patent Office and the federal courts.
2026 Patent Trends: What Every Founder Must Know
The 2026 legal climate has introduced critical shifts in how patents are granted and defended:
The AI Eligibility “Reset”: New USPTO guidance (as of November 2025) has clarified that while AI systems are tools, human conception remains the lynchpin of a valid patent. We help you document the “significant human contribution” required to secure your AI-driven innovations.
The Design Patent “Lynchpin”: Design patents are no longer supplemental. In 2026, they have become core assets for product differentiation, offering a more direct path to “total profit” damages in litigation compared to utility royalties.
Fast-Track Innovation: With the USPTO’s new digital dashboards and AI-powered prior art searches, the window to file is shrinking. Early disclosure without a strategy is the number one cause of lost IP rights.
Comprehensive Patent Services
We act as a complete resource for technology companies, providing the technical depth and legal precision required for complex patent prosecution.
1. Patent Procurement & Prosecution
Utility Patents: Strategic protection for computer hardware, software architectures, machine learning models, and manufacturing methods.
Design Patents: Securing exclusive rights to product shapes, user interface (UI) icons, and ornamental designs.
Provisional Applications: Cost-effectively securing your priority date while you refine your MVP.
2. Strategy & Due Diligence
Patent Search & Clearance: Deep-dive analysis of the prior art landscape to evaluate the “freedom to operate” before you go to market.
Portfolio Valuation: Due diligence investigations for M&A or venture capital funding rounds.
International Protection: Establishing a global IP shield through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and our network of international resources.
3. Enforcement & Defense
Litigation & Arbitration: Defending your claims in U.S. District Courts or initiating actions against infringers.
Cease & Desist: Strategic communication to stop infringement without the immediate need for costly litigation.
Licensing Agreements: Monetizing your portfolio through sophisticated outbound and cross-licensing deals.
Startup Patent Attorney
For many businesses, a strong patent portfolio provides a significant competitive advantage. Under the U.S. Patent Act (35 U.S. Code) inventors must submit a patent application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office where it will be reviewed by an examiner to determine if the invention is patentable. If issued, U.S. law grants patentees the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention.
What Is a Patent?
The U.S. Patent Act states that processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter are patentable subject matters.
How Can I Protect My Invention?
Protection of patents includes strict compliance with filing deadlines and confidentiality requirements during early stages of invention, in addition to analysis of the scope of the invention. The statutory bar of timely filing a patent application in the U.S. can be unforgiving, and vary in international countries. Unintentional public disclosure of an invention without a confidentiality agreement may result in a complete loss of patent rights.
L.A. TECH & MEDIA LAW FIRM provides comprehensive patent law consultation and services to technology companies, startups and innovation firms, including patent drafting, prosecution, litigation, and licensing. Our Los Angeles patent attorneys communicate and interact with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on a regular basis, and are highly experienced in preparing concise and effective patent claims, and researching and writing opinion letters on patent issues.We have a best team of intellectual Property Lawyer in Los Angeles, USA.
Core Services
- Procurement of U.S. Utility Patent for Computer Hardware and Software, Business Methods, Apparatus, Systems and Manufacturing Methods
- Procurement of U.S. Design Patents for Product Shapes, Designs, and Icons
- Procurement of U.S. Provisional Patents
- Prosecution and Defense of Patent Infringement Claims in the U.S. District Courts, and Arbitration Hearings
- Performing patent search and clearance studies to evaluate new products
- Due diligence investigations of patent portfolios
- Writing and answering cease and desist letters
- Establishing international protection through a global network of intellectual property resources
- Patent licensing by top patent attorney USA
- Patent litigation and defense
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CONTACT
L.A. TECH & MEDIA LAW FIRM
12121 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 810, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
Office: 310-751-0181
Fax: 310-882-6518
Email: info@latml.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Statutory Bar”?
U.S. law is unforgiving. If you publicly disclose your invention, offer it for sale, or use it commercially before filing, you may trigger a one-year “grace period” clock. In many international jurisdictions, even a single day of public disclosure before filing can result in a complete loss of rights.
Can I patent an AI algorithm?
Yes, but the strategy has shifted. Under the 2026 Desjardins Precedent, we focus on how the algorithm improves the computer’s functionality itself—rather than just the math.
How is a patent different from a trade secret?
A patent gives you a 20-year legal monopoly in exchange for public disclosure. A trade secret (like the Coca-Cola formula) lasts as long as it remains secret. We help you decide which protection fits your specific business model.
- Trademark and Copyright Protection
- Corporate Law & Entity Formation
- Cofounder Agreements
- Confidential Proprietary Rights
- Startup Funding Strategy
- Intellectual Property (IP) Protection
- Competitive Barrier Strategy
- Pitch Deck and Lean Startup Consultation
- Software Licensing Agreements
- Patent Protection
- Corporate Governance
- Contract Negotiation
- Digital Publishing Agreements
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business Litigation
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