Advertise on podcast: Tech Talks by Mayer Brown

In this episode of Tech Talks, Julian Dibbell is joined by partner Brian Nolan and associate Megan Fitzgerald to unpack how companies can protect AI assets and outputs using IP strategies. The conversation maps the key protectable components of AI—algorithms and code, trained models and parameters, proprietary datasets, and outputs—and evaluates the strengths and limits of trade secrets, copyrights, patents, and contracts. They highlight why trade secrets are particularly powerful for AI while probing emerging "improper means" issues like scraping, prompt injection, and ToS violations. They also survey evolving copyright law on human authorship and fair use in training, and discuss patent inventorship guidance and eligibility trends, before closing with practical contracting approaches to allocate data rights, output ownership, and IP strategy. Show Notes: 00:02 Introduction to Protecting AI Assets and Outputs 02:00 Protectable AI Assets: Algorithms, Models, Data, Outputs 06:07 IP Toolkit: Trade Secrets, Copyright, Patents, Contracts 09:55 "Improper means" in AI: Scraping, Prompts, ToS 12:44 Using Copyright to Protect AI 16:21 Copyright: Human Authorship, Code Protection, Fair Use 21:27 Patents: Inventorship Guidance, Eligibility, Open Issues 29:58 Contracts: Data Rights, Output Ownership, Strategy

In this Tech Talks episode, Mayer Brown partners Ana Bruder, Julian Dibbell, Gabriela Kennedy, Arsen Kourinian, and Oliver Yaros put four AI regimes head to head: the European Union's risk based Act, the United Kingdom's light touch approach, Asia's mixed models, and the United States' state by state patchwork. Their contracting playbook: lock down roles and risk, and go beyond "comply with law" to require risk management, human oversight, transparency, and data use limits. Our hosts close out by looking ahead to 2026 to see how these regimes diverge further. Show Notes:  00:04 Introductions to Artificial Intelligence Provisions in Technology Contracting 02:52 EU AI Act: Roles, Risk Tiers, and Contract Implications 04:05 UK's Pro Innovation, Light Touch Framework 07:50 Asia Snapshot: China's GenAI Rules vs. Soft Touch Regimes 10:58 U.S. Patchwork: State Laws, High Risk Use Cases, and Contracts 14:41 Negotiating AI Contracts Amid a Shifting Global Regulatory Landscape 18:44 Practical Best Practices for AI Contracting 24:50 Beyond "comply with law": Standards, Data Use, and Future Proofing 27:25 2026 Looking Ahead: Global Regulatory Trajectories

In this crossover episode of The Upper Brand and Tech Talks, hosts Rich Assmus, Kristine Young, and Julian Dibbell explore how brand licensing functions as a capital-efficient growth strategy—accelerating entry into new markets, categories, and geographies by pairing a company's brand equity or technology with a partner's manufacturing and distribution strengths. They walk through the practical lifecycle of a successful deal—from readiness and IP protection to partner diligence and crisp term sheets—and then dive into contract mechanics such as scope clarity, tailored royalty structures, calibrated exclusivity with performance milestones, and rigorous quality control. The discussion also addresses modern considerations including audits, ownership of improvements, AI-generated outputs and data compliance, sublicensing controls, exit planning, and dispute frameworks. Their closing advice: operationalize quality and align incentives so both parties win when the partnership wins. Episode Show Notes:  00:02 Introduction to IP Partnerships and Brand Licensing 3:15 Readiness checklist 4:56 Contract scope and definitions 6:28 Exclusively without handcuffs 8:09 Oversight and ownership 9:55 Sublicensing, terms, and termination 11:37 Built-in resilience

This episode of Tech Talks outlines why intercompany licensing—clear ownership, licensees, and exclusive rights—is vital for operations and litigation standing. It flags exit tax and transfer pricing exposure tied to DEMPE functions and valuation disputes, which can cause double taxation without strong documentation. Mayer Brown partners Jim Ferguson and Jason Osborn, along with host Julian Dibbell, review enforcement nuances for patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights, and the need to update employment agreements to assign future inventions to the right affiliate. Their takeaway: align structures with business reality and coordinate IP and tax teams early.

As companies expand global operations, they are forced to navigate a patchwork of local IP laws, data and artificial intelligence (AI) regulations, and ever-shifting geopolitical tensions. Without sufficient diligence, planning, and contracting, companies can fall victim to IP leakage, downstream disputes, data protection and export control problems, and impediments to innovation. In this episode, Mayer Brown partners discuss key IP issues that arise in global outsourcing and cross-border technology transactions and offers practical recommendations for structuring deals that safeguard innovation.

As generative AI transforms the way businesses operate, understanding copyright risks has never been more critical. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell sits down with Rich Assmus and Brian Nolan, partners in our Intellectual Property practice, to unpack the U.S. Copyright Office's latest report on generative AI and copyright law. They dive into the high-stakes legal questions surrounding the use of copyrighted content to train AI models, including hot-button issues like model weights and retrieval-augmented generation. They also discuss how courts may apply the fair use doctrine to generative AI, with a close look at transformativeness, market impact, and other key factors.

Just two months in, 2025 is already delivering significant developments in AI and technology law. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell is joined by Rich Assmus, a partner in our Intellectual Property practice, to discuss Thomson Reuters v. Ross, a closely watched case with important implications for AI and data usage. We start by outlining the key facts and legal framework the court considered before turning to the central issue of the ruling: fair use. Rich explains how the court applied the four key factors of fair use and what this analysis means in the context of AI and data technology. We also explore the broader implications of the decision and its potential impact on other cases involving AI and training data—and on companies looking to contract for AI products and services. Join us for an insightful discussion on one of the year's most notable legal decisions in this evolving area of law.

2025 is shaping up to be a busy year in tech. While blustery economic tailwinds continue to drive digital transformation, a new presidential administration promises shifts in policy that will likely keep businesses on their toes. In this episode, host Julian Dibbell is joined by Rohith George, Joe Pennell, Brad Peterson, and Scott Young, partners from all across our Technology & IP Transactions practice, to provide perspectives on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. We will discuss the expected increase in M&A activity, the impact of venture capital on emerging tech companies, the growing significance of AI in dealmaking, and the challenges posed by regulatory uncertainty.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reshaped the facilities management (FM) outsourcing landscape. Companies have transitioned from fully office-based work to home-based work, and now to hybrid models, prompting a reevaluation of space utilization. In this episode partner Rohith George, along with host Julian Dibbell, explore how FM providers are adapting to these changes, leveraging technology and data, and addressing sustainability and data security challenges.

Companies, across a variety of industries, are increasingly taking a multi-channel approach to core product and service delivery. While a company-owned website or app often remains the primary way for the company to interface with and deliver services to its customers, third-party platforms can sometimes be an attractive additional channel through which customers can be acquired and maintained. This means negotiating and entering into platform agreements that are intended to bring mutual benefit to both the company and the platform provider. In this episode, Rohith George and Corina Cercelaru, along with host Julian Dibbell, will explore key issues for companies to consider when engaging with customer-facing platform providers and recommend approaches to take in order to achieve a successful collaboration.

In this episode of Tech Talks, we discuss the Federal Trade Commission's recent ban on non-compete agreements and its implications for employers, as well as strategies for protecting confidential information and trade secrets. Join Gail Levine and Kristine Young, along with host Julian Dibbell, as they explore the practical and contractual measures employers can adopt, the potential consequences if the FTC's rule is struck down, and best practices for contracting with third parties.

In this episode, we explore the ever-evolving realm of AI regulation and how it's reshaping technology transactions and internal governance worldwide. Join host Julian Dibbell and guests Ana Bruder, Arsen Kourinian, and Oliver Yaros as they discuss what's happening in the EU, the US, and the UK, respectively, and how companies can navigate compliance in this changing environment.

In this episode, we revisit the ever-shifting landscape of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), a topic which has continued to captivate the tech world since our discussion a year ago. With GenAI at the forefront of the conversation, we delve back into the complexities surrounding its use, with a special focus on the contractual and legal challenges faced by users, data providers, and businesses. Join partners Marina Aronchik and Rich Assmus, and host Julian Dibbell, as they explore advancements in GenAI over the last year, emerging legal intricacies, and the implications for those navigating the technology.

Join our Technology & IP Transactions lawyers as they dive into the trends shaping 2024. In this episode, we explore the future of technology services, spotlight trends driving tech startups, and dissect deals tied to customer-facing digital platforms and cloud services. Additionally, we navigate the evolving regulations affecting tech transactions in Europe and the UK, as well as the legal complexities surrounding AI and GenAI. Tune in for a comprehensive overview that unpacks key trends and considerations for technology transactions in the year ahead.

Companies seeking to outsource—or re-source—business functions are strongly incentivized to act quickly, in order to realize savings and other benefits. However, maximizing those benefits requires effective planning and clever negotiating with suppliers, and companies that resist the temptation to take shortcuts will set themselves up for success in the long run. In this episode, partners Joe Pennell and Brad Peterson, along with host Julian Dibbell, provide insight into optimizing the outsourcing deal process, both in planning and execution.