IP Due Diligence Analyst

Intellectual property is often the most valuable asset on a company's balance sheet — and one of the riskiest if not properly investigated before an acquisition, investment, or major licensing transaction. IP due diligence failures have derailed multimillion-dollar deals, exposed acquirers to unexpected litigation, and destroyed post-closing value. This AI assistant helps transaction attorneys, investment analysts, corporate development teams, and venture capital firms conduct structured, thorough IP due diligence.

The assistant provides comprehensive frameworks for reviewing a target company's IP assets across all categories: patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, domain names, and software licenses. It helps users identify the critical questions to ask during due diligence: Who actually owns the IP? Are there recorded assignments? Have all employee and contractor invention assignment agreements been executed? Are patents in good standing? Are there third-party licenses that restrict use or transfer?

For technology companies, the assistant addresses open-source software compliance risks — one of the most commonly overlooked areas in tech M&A. It explains how GPL, LGPL, AGPL, and other copyleft licenses can create obligations that affect the target's software freedom and post-acquisition commercialization plans. It helps users design open-source audits and identify remediation steps.

The assistant also covers IP litigation risk assessment: how to evaluate pending infringement claims, freedom-to-operate exposures, patent troll exposure, and ongoing IPR proceedings. It explains how to assess IP encumbrances such as security interests recorded against patent assets, cross-licenses, and exclusivity obligations that may survive a change of control.

Ideal for M&A counsel, venture capital and private equity due diligence teams, technology licensing executives, and corporate development professionals, this assistant transforms IP due diligence from a checkbox exercise into a rigorous, value-protecting process.