Technology
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP uses a multi-disciplinary approach in its Technology Law Practice.
We are equipped to handle legal matters involving businesses in the technology-driven information, media and communications industries. In addition, we routinely assist non-technology businesses with technology-related matters. We recognize that many businesses in these industries have legal and business issues similar to those encountered in other industries, but that the nature of technology businesses requires legal counsel to understand and anticipate additional issues and concerns unique to these industries.
Assisting our clients with legal issues associated with e-commerce, such as conducting business over the Internet, utilizing electronic data interchange and digital signature capabilities and advising on the latest legislative and other developments in this area, is a particular focus of our Technology Law Practice. With respect to e-commerce, we have advised clients on minimizing legal risks involved with e-commerce, related taxation issues, protection of intellectual property rights, handling issues of personal jurisdiction, domain name issues, on-line licensing matters, privacy and confidentiality issues, email protocols and policies, software exporting regulations, outsourcing arrangements, establishing intranets and Web site and software development and implementation.
We act as corporate counsel for numerous software, information and communications technology companies and are regularly consulted in various aspects of their business affairs. We advise clients on organizing their business enterprises in as advantageous a manner as possible to achieve their business and other goals. The growth cycle of technology companies requires our attorneys to understand the needs and peculiarities of our client companies and the available legal, financial and business options that present themselves as they mature through different stages. We regularly assist our clients with business formations, mergers and acquisitions, structuring financing arrangements, private offerings and public offerings of securities and post-public offering compliance programs.
Due to the highly fluid nature of many sectors within the technology industries and the mobility of its workers, we stress to our clients the need to protect their confidential information and trade secrets and to ensure that employee mobility will not result in the loss or impairment of intellectual property rights. Our litigation attorneys regularly handle litigation involving intellectual property disputes, including rights of owners and licensees of intellectual property rights, such as computer software, copyright, patent and trademark matters. We have represented the creators of software in cases involving software piracy, as well as vendors and purchasers of software in disputes arising out of the failure of the software to meet specifications. Additionally, we provide additional value by proactively advising these companies on intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademark and patent registrations, alternative methods of distributing their products, pricing methodologies to avoid antitrust concerns and the means to interact effectively with other participants in their industry without jeopardizing confidential information or future product plans.
The services and areas that we assist our clients within our Technology Law Practice include:
- Acquisitions and Mergers
- Business Formations
- Confidentiality Agreements
- Copyright Registration and Protection
- Digital Signature Initiatives
- E-Commerce Initiatives
- Financing Arrangements
- Initial Public Offerings
- International Technology Transfers
- Internet Development Contracts
- Internet Hosting, Maintenance and Service Agreement
- Joint Ventures
- Licensing Agreements
- Multimedia Contracts
- Outsourcing Arrangements
- Patent Registration and Protection
- Privacy Policies
- Securities Issuances and Private Placements
- Shareholder Agreements
- Software and Multimedia Product Development Agreements
- Structuring Financing Transactions
- Structuring Joint Ventures
- Trade Secret Protection
- Trademark and Servicemark Registration and Protection
- Unfair Competition Litigation
- Venture Capital Financing
