Anthony Decicco, GTC Law Group

Tony is a member in GTC’s IP Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Business & Technology Transactions groups. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions, strategic development of patent portfolios, valuing and commercializing intellectual property assets, and licensing and other technology-related transactions. In addition, Tony founded and oversees the firm’s Open Source Compliance and Due Diligence practice and has extensive experience advising clients regarding the use of open source software. He has reviewed the results of literally thousands of code scans.

Tony is also the Co-Lead of GTC’s Artificial Intelligence practice and has counseled clients regarding traditional AI/ML (i.e. algorithmic/rules-based) for many years and has more recently focused on generative AI. He specializes in data set licensing and strategies for acquiring and collecting data, developing patent portfolios focused on AI inventions and applications of AI technologies, developing AI-related contract terms, risk assessment and mitigation in respect of using AI to generate and test software code and the intersections between open source software and AI.

Tony’s clients range from individual inventors to Fortune 100 companies. Given his extensive experience on both the buy and sell sides of mergers and acquisitions, patent purchases/sales and IP/technology licensing transactions, he is a trusted advisor to clients on all sides of the table. For acquirers, a key strength is his ability to leverage this experience to quickly identify and assess IP-related risks. On the sell side, this experience translates to grooming clients and positioning IP assets to maximize value and minimize issues during rigorous due diligence.

Prior to joining GTC, Tony was a member of the IP & Technology, Internet & E-Commerce and M&A practice groups at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. He has research and professional experience in a diverse range of fields, including patent valuation, law and economics, molecular evolution, apoptosis, and lipid biochemistry. Tony holds an Honors B.Sc. in Biochemistry from McMaster University, an M.A. in Economics and a J.D., both from the University of Toronto, where he was a law review editor. He is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (with Limited Recognition).

Derek is partner at Michael Best & Friedrich and brings more than 20 years of experience to his work in patent prosecution, portfolio management, intellectual property due diligence, and technology transfer and licensing matters.  His strong track record of successful outcomes, coupled with his technical training as an electrical engineer, give Derek a unique perspective on the challenges facing in-house legal departments and technological innovators in a broad range of industries.  Clients turn to Derek for tactical guidance in the following areas:  Protecting software, computer, and electrical technologies by securing patent, copyright, and other IP property protection; Growing and managing large patent portfolios; Obtaining strategic patent coverage; Negotiating intellectual property licenses and non-disclosure agreements; Due diligence, product clearance, and litigation avoidance and support

Chambers USA has twice recognized Derek’s work in intellectual property law. He regularly speaks and writes on topics ranging from online privacy policies to software patents.  Recognizing that the needs of our clients are not limited to one state, Derek travels to clients in various locations throughout the Midwest, including Wisconsin and Illinois.

Derek’s representative experience includes: Managing patent preparation and global prosecution for Fortune 500 and multi-national companies for a variety of software, computer, and electrical technologies; Preparing, analyzing and negotiating hundreds of software and other IP licenses and agreements; He has specific experience with information technology (IT) and database systems; browser-wrap and click-wrap contracts; hosting services; SaaS and web services; cloud computing; open source licensing; source code and technology escrows, privacy policies and data security.

Representative technologies include: Virtual and augmented reality, Artificial intelligence applied to virtual assistants and autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle systems, Wireless communications systems and devices, including LTE and LMR technologies, Productivity software, 3D computed tomography, surface scanning, and other medical imaging systems and software, Vehicle electronics, vehicle control systems and software, vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications, Medical devices and systems including ophthalmic surgical devices, MEMS technologies, Magnetic and ultrasonic sensing technologies, Cryptography, Building security and monitoring systems, and Electric power technologies such as generators, switchgear, and solar electric systems.