Contracting for Trade Secret Protection in the Post-Non-Compete Era

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.