Industries

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Why Cooley

We have been at the forefront of the commercial drone industry from the very beginning. Our lawyers are well-known for solving groundbreaking legal issues that arise when innovation meets regulation. We have a cross-office, cross-practice team from our aviation, commercial litigation, communications, emerging companies, government contracts, intellectual property, international trade, privacy & data protection and venture capital groups advising on all aspects of bringing new technologies to market.

Corporate

Our lawyers counsel both emerging and established companies in the development and adoption of drone technology, as well as the leading investors and financial institutions focused on this sector. We have a long history of guiding pioneering technology companies through the stages – and legal challenges – of the corporate growth cycle.

Areas of Practice

  • Company formation
  • Financings
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Public financings and private placements
  • Spin-offs and roll-ups
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Tax

Litigation

Cooley litigators are called to defend our clients when litigation issues surface, often resulting from plaintiffs' lawyers' attempts to apply established laws to emerging technologies. Our lawyers have a particular expertise in complex commercial litigation, representing clients throughout the United States in trial and appellate courts and before administrative agencies in cases involving aviation, telecommunications, satellite, GPS/spectrum and privacy issues.

Areas of Practice

  • Class action defense
  • Privacy & data protection
  • Product liability

Regulatory

Cooley's capability in unmanned aerial vehicles draws upon decades of experience among the top-ranked lawyers in our communications, aviation, technology and privacy practices. We help clients obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to operate commercially in US airspace and counsel on the safe and compliant operation of technology. Our client base cuts across many industry sectors, including UAV manufacturing, film production, aerial surveying, GPS technology and precision agriculture.

Areas of Practice

  • Aviation/Federal Aviation Administration regulations
  • Corporate governance
  • Export control and international trade regulations
  • Government contracts
  • GPS navigation and spectrum technology
  • Privacy & data protection

Intellectual Property

Our fully integrated prosecution, counseling and litigation practice tailors solutions and legal strategies to meet each client’s unique needs and stage of development. We provide comprehensive patent solutions with an eye towards mitigating curr ent and future IP risks and monetizing IP assets. Our team includes practitioners with significant technical training and work experience in the aerospace and defense industries.

Areas of Practice

  • Copyright and design protection
  • Patent procurement and enforcement
  • Portfolio management and analysis
  • Technology transactions and licensing
  • Trade secrets counseling
  • Trademark protection and enforcement