Web3 Intellectual Property Legal Services

Full-spectrum intellectual property protection services for Web3 innovations, blockchain protocols, NFT projects, and crypto brands. McDermott Will & Schulte's IP practice combines deep technical expertise across electrical engineering, computer science, cryptography, and software engineering with sophisticated legal counseling to protect blockchain innovations and digital asset businesses.

Blockchain & Crypto IP Protection

Blockchain Patents:

• Smart contract patent applications and prosecution
• Blockchain protocol patent strategy and portfolio development
• Consensus mechanism and cryptographic innovation patents
• US and foreign patent filings (PCT international applications)
• Freedom-to-operate analysis for blockchain implementations
• Prior art searches and patentability assessments

NFT & Digital Asset IP:

• NFT copyright analysis and licensing frameworks
• CC0 vs. exclusive rights structuring for NFT projects
• NFT royalty mechanism legal review and enforcement
• Digital collectible IP protection strategies
• Metadata and token URI copyright strategy
• NFT derivative works and commercial use rights

Crypto Brand Protection:

• Cryptocurrency trademark registration (US and international)
• Token brand protection and enforcement
• Anti-counterfeiting strategies for crypto brands
• Domain name disputes and UDRP proceedings
• Social media impersonation and phishing defense
• Brand monitoring and enforcement programs

Traditional IP Services (Web3-Adjacent)

Patent Prosecution:

• Software patent applications for blockchain platforms
• Computer science and cryptography patents
• Patent portfolio strategy and management
• Provisional applications and PCT filings
• Patent office responses and prosecution strategy

Trademark & Brand Strategy:

• Trademark registration for Web3 companies
• Brand strategy for protocol launches and token offerings
• Trademark litigation and enforcement actions
• Global trademark portfolio management
• Trademark clearance and availability searches

Trade Secrets & Licensing:

• Trade secret protection for proprietary algorithms
• Technology licensing agreements and IP transactions
• Open source compliance for blockchain projects
• Software licensing and code protection strategies
• Confidentiality agreements and IP assignment drafting

IP Litigation:

• Patent infringement defense and enforcement
• Trademark litigation for crypto brands
• ITC Section 337 investigations
• PTAB proceedings (IPR, PGR, CBM)
• Copyright infringement matters
• IP due diligence for M&A and financing transactions

Why Choose McDermott

As part of a Top 25 Am Law firm with 125+ Chambers-ranked practices, McDermott's IP team brings sophisticated legal expertise combined with genuine technical understanding of blockchain technology. The practice serves blockchain infrastructure providers, NFT platforms, DeFi protocols, cryptocurrency exchanges, crypto wallet developers, Web3 gaming studios, and digital asset businesses requiring comprehensive IP protection.

Target Clients: Blockchain infrastructure providers, NFT platforms, DeFi protocols, cryptocurrency exchanges, crypto wallet developers, Web3 gaming studios, and digital asset businesses requiring IP protection.