Technology

This edition of MintzTech Connect covers the patentability of blockchain and cryptocurrency, SEC Rule 148, a Delaware Supreme Court ruling on the advance waiver of appraisal rights, and Miyoko’s Creamery.

This edition covers the patentability of blockchain and cryptocurrency, SEC Rule 148, a Delaware Supreme Court ruling on the advance waiver of appraisal rights, and Miyoko’s Creamery.

Computer-based inventions – especially in the machine learning (ML), bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence (AI) fields – are susceptible to subject matter eligibility challenges. Subject matter eligibility challenges may prevent a patent application from being granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and may even be asserted to invalidate a patent post-grant. In recent years, the Federal Circuit has implemented a multi-step test to determine whether patent claims would survive a subject matter eligibility challenge.

Frank Gerratana discusses the relationship between blockchain and cryptocurrency and the underlying intellectual property issues and opportunities for patent holders.

Machine learning (ML), bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other computational tools have become ubiquitous in the biotech and synthetic biology industries because such technology allows for rapid processing of a large amount of complex data to produce advancements in therapeutics and diagnostics. As the landscape becomes increasingly more competitive, it is important for companies, particularly in the aforementioned industries, to obtain patent protection for their AI-related technology.

Venture capital investing continues to thrive across all sectors. During the first half of 2021, the Mintz team advised more than 65 emerging companies and investors in transactions in all facets of the life sciences, technology, and energy and sustainability industries.

Read about Stavvy, an innovative fintech company that provides a collaborative platform for lenders, title agents, attorneys, notaries, settlement agents, borrowers, and others involved in real estate transactions.

This issue of MintzTech Connect covers issues related to ransomware and mandatory vaccinations for people returning to private offices, plus spotlights on EcoCart and Stavvy.

Read about EcoCart, a company that provides an e-commerce plugin for merchants to offer carbon-neutral orders and a Chrome extension for shoppers looking to lower their carbon footprint.

Read about GroGuru, an AgTech company with hardware and software offerings that help farmers increase crop yield and more efficiently use water and other scarce resources sustainably.

This issue covers the trend of public benefit companies going public, how gig workers may become eligible for equity compensation, a MintzEdge podcast on venture debt, and a spotlight on GroGuru.

Read about how companies can increase the enforceability of digital contracts, online terms incorporated by reference into non-electronic agreements, and updates of online terms.

This Mintz advisory reviews the challenges associated with agile software development contracts and provides best practices to avoid rising costs and legal disputes.

In the recent SolarWinds hack, the routine task of downloading a software update turned into a cybersecurity nightmare for over 18,000 organizations including the Treasury Department, AT&T and up to 85% of Fortune 500 companies. New York has the SHIELD Act, a statute that requires that organizations select third party service providers “capable of maintaining appropriate cybersecurity safeguards”.

This issue covers the increase in the equity crowdfunding cap, a FINTECH.TV interview on the private capital marketplace, a “Mintz Minute” on how to write an executive summary for a start-up company, and a spotlight on Turing Enterprises.

In this edition of MintzTech Connect, we feature Turing Enterprises, builders of an AI-based platform that is revolutionizing the way tech companies in Silicon Valley and beyond hire mission-critical talent.

Despite COVID-19 and its effects on the global economy, IPOs raised over $150 billion in 2020. In an episode of FinTech.TV’s Digital Asset Report, Vince Molinari interviewed Mintz Member Dan DeWolf, who discussed the outlook for IPOs and investment capital in 2021 and beyond.

This issue covers the SEC’s proposed relief from broker-dealer registration for certain finders, an article on exit options for public benefit corporations, and features on Boston Family Advisors and iAssay System.

Read about Boston Family Advisors and how it builds and operates single-family offices for venture capital and private equity professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Read about the SEC’s amendment to its capital raising rules for Regulation Crowdfunding to promote capital formation and expand investment opportunities.