Accelerated innovation in real-time, machine-to-machine communication has ushered in a new era of convenience. The disruptive nature and global scale of the Internet of Things have prompted many leading home product manufacturers to make their goods “smart” via sensor technology refinements and upgrades, resulting in widespread consumer interest in purchasing connected versions of household appliances.

As companies refocus efforts to meet consumer demand, they are facing numerous challenges. Evolving regulations pertaining to data privacy and security and insurance coverage, among other areas, have presented unique obstacles as policymakers and manufacturers alike seek to identify and reduce consumer vulnerability. As greater product autonomy envelops households, we provide product counsel, help our clients develop protocols to protect data, assist with business partnership negotiations and provide guidance on legal and ethical considerations as they negotiate business partnerships. View our representative experience.

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Manufacturers are trying to increase profits as they create Internet of Things infrastructures that help predict maintenance costs and lead to better asset management. As more affordable sensor technologies become available and maintenance costs decrease, manufacturers are developing infrastructural frameworks required to provide a smarter, more holistic view of data and more efficient processes to assemble goods. Big data from this process has tremendous value.

Our team has worked with numerous manufacturers as they negotiate contracts with vendors to embed sensor technology in new machinery and integrate legacy devices with the industrial IoT. We also regularly provide counsel to companies that manufacture the sensors that make IoT connectivity possible. View our representative experience.

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Serving as the foundational technology behind popular cryptocurrency bitcoin, the vast potential for blockchain technology to revolutionize chain-of-custody logistics is coming into clear focus. We represent the full gamut of entities and individuals who are developing and investing in blockchain technologies and digital currency-related businesses. 

Our clients range from emerging and stealth startups to some of the biggest players in the industry. As a natural extension of our extensive history representing Internet and mobile technology companies, including many of the first decentralized virtual currency companies, we have been focusing on blockchain technology since it first hit the scene and are considered a leading law firm in this area. View our representative experience.

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From wearable technology, such as activity trackers, sensor-embedded clothing and other smart accessories, to medical and personal biotechnology, including ingestibles, hearables and embeddables, the biological IoT (BIoT) is evolving at a rapid pace. An explosion of APIs available to developers, along with access to new data sources, is enabling service providers and product manufacturers to gain insights and create powerful solutions to many previously unforeseen problems.

Our IoT team is at the forefront of these changes, providing counsel to in-house legal teams, executives, developers and engineers as they leverage these APIs and data to develop and implement BIoT interfaces and products. Our experience goes beyond understanding the evolving IoT legal framework. In addition to our deep understanding of the ethical issues and regulations related to administering preventive therapies and revolutionizing lifestyle, medical and wellness treatments, we are well-versed in all technological aspects of the software platforms and hardware infrastructures that power BIoT connectivity. View our representative experience.

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Financial services and payment products and systems have been redefined by the Internet, new payment service providers and the development of new electronic payment infrastructures. There are now more channels than ever for banks and financial services providers to connect with customers that are empowered to perform routine banking activities from mobile devices.

In addition to changes in the way consumers transmit payments, the Internet of Things brings with it a promise of disruption to the traditional business models of financial services industry participants as third-party intermediaries. As the number of connected objects rises, banks and other financial services providers seeking to capitalize on the IoT’s potential by using the bitcoin protocol and developing parallel blockchains and/or sidechains will need to improve scalability and resolve challenges in data security and connectivity to meet customer demands.

Perkins Coie has an especially strong practice helping clients who have developed or integrated new and complex financial services technologies, such as blockchain solutions, marketplace payment processing and virtual currency exchanges, navigate the complicated web of financial services rules and regulations.

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The transportation industry has embraced IoT technology as a means to spur even greater innovation. Vehicle manufacturers—as well as parking structures, airports and railways—that have integrated connectivity into their infrastructure, have created conveniences for consumers and much-needed cost containment for public and private sector entities.

The impact of the IoT doesn’t end with traditional modes of transportation. Uncrewed aircraft are already flying and will eventually occupy large swaths of global airspace. Driverless cars are being tested and will eventually share the roads with motorists as on-demand transportation services are systemically disrupted. IoT is becoming an ever-present feature of modern life. As the law struggles to keep pace, we help our clients remain compliant with the latest regulatory developments, solidify strategic partnerships and defend proprietary technologies as they explore ways to unleash the potential of a highly connected world. View our representative experience.

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A global infrastructure of physical objects connected via the Internet of Things will profoundly alter how consumers interact with all networked technology, including media and entertainment platforms. Like the IoT, interactive entertainment has seen impressive year-over-year growth with advances in mobile software and devices, as well as the large scale proliferation of disruptive technologies, like augmented and virtual reality.

From gaming, movies, sports and global tourism to education, patient care and AEC projects, advances in immersive virtual worlds and their integration with traditional entertainment distribution channels will dominate the way we learn, work and play. For now, our IoT team helps interactive entertainment companies forge the right partnerships and comply with laws governing the physical world as distinctions between realities are creatively blurred. View our representative experience.

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Reliance on mobile devices as drivers of highly personalized shopping portals where consumers can research and purchase goods continues to increase. To outpace the competition, savvy retailers are exploring alternatives to traditional approaches to consumer engagement, inventory management, asset tracking and payment processing.

We advise clients on compliance in connection with the collection, storage, use and distribution of personally identifiable consumer information, behavioral advertising campaigns, biometrics and cognitive computing initiatives, federal and state payment system and digital currency laws and product liability matters, among other areas.

Today’s retailers understand that failing to explore connected technologies may mean risking well-earned relevance. We help retailers adopt and implement IoT strategies that may lead to business growth and greater brand loyalty. View our representative experience.

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Smart cities are not built overnight. As more “things” become sensors, incremental steps toward creating interconnected urban landscapes are transforming the way we live and operate. As public and private sectors converge to build smart city infrastructures, questions related to privacy and data security, government contract procurement processes, labor and insurance coverage, among others, must be addressed.

Our IoT team has helped parties on both sides of the negotiation table tackle key contractual and regulatory challenges that arise in smart city IoT infrastructure projects. View our representative experience.

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The essence of Internet of Things (IoT) is wireless connectivity. Wireless connectivity, both the spectrum services and the devices that enable the wireless connectivity, is exclusively regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC and other regulators around the world are examining IoT equipment certification matters, licensed and unlicensed wireless spectrum allocations and policies, and other IoT-related regulatory issues for consumers, device manufacturers and wireless service providers.

Regardless of the industry served by the IoT device or service, wireless connectivity and control are the critical elements that transforms the seemingly ordinary to extraordinary IoT. Wireless providers, edge providers, advertisers, health providers, financial service companies, among countless others, have an opportunity to create networks of comprehensive data that leads to unexpected insights.

We help our clients navigate the IoT landscape as it reinvents consumer relationships with a growing range of devices and appliances. Our team provides FCC regulatory counsel in connection with FCC equipment certification, licensed and unlicensed wireless services, and comprehensive FCC regulatory compliance advice and counsel, including on broadband privacy, net neutrality and FCC enforcement defense. View our representative experience.

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The number of devices being managed by utility companies around the world is projected to grow by more than 1 billion by 2020. Utility companies have used machine-to-machine solutions to communicate with residential devices and control power-grid functionality for quite some time.

As cities get smarter, energy companies must follow suit and expand their infrastructures to meet the growing demands of consumers to accurately and reliably monitor energy consumption. As consumer empowerment grows and competition increases, energy and power providers are exploring advances in smart metering like never before.

Our IoT lawyers help our energy clients assess, structure, finance and negotiate all aspects of IoT energy projects, as well as litigate the full range of connectivity-related energy disputes that arise. View our representative experience.

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Healthcare organizations are actively seeking ways to improve the delivery of patient information and care. The need for in-depth analysis of data that will enable healthcare providers to efficiently deliver much-needed treatments continues to drive innovation.

As connected intelligent systems provide rapid access to critical patient data, healthcare organizations continue to struggle with regulatory compliance issues as they update infrastructures to deploy interconnected devices and networks. Lawyers in our IoT group regularly advise healthcare providers and vendors as they work together to connect the dots that will revolutionize patient care. View our representative experience.

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