This year’s top venture intellectual property cases

Here are some of the top venture intellectual property cases of 2025:

• Apple Inc. v. Gesture Technology Partners – Apple challenged certain claims of a patent related to gesture recognition technology. The Federal Circuit ruled that the Patent Trial and Appeal Board had jurisdiction over expired patents, affirming the unpatentability of several claims.

• Emotional Perception AI Ltd v. Comptroller-General of Patents – This case revolves around the patentability of an artificial neural network designed to provide improved media recommendations based on emotional response. The ruling could have wide-reaching consequences for AI-related patents.

• Getty Images v. Stability AI – Getty Images sued Stability AI over alleged copyright infringement related to AI-generated images. This case is expected to set important precedents for AI and intellectual property rights.

• Apple vs. Samsung ($539M settlement) – A major intellectual property dispute between Apple and Samsung resulted in a significant settlement, reinforcing protections for innovation and brand identity.

Top Venture Intellectual Property Cases of 2025

As we look into the landscape of intellectual property (IP) in 2025, several key cases have emerged that highlight the ongoing challenges and developments in this field. Here are some notable cases:

• Case A: Tech Innovations vs. Patent Trolls

  This case involved a prominent tech company defending its patents against a notorious patent troll. The outcome set a precedent for how courts view patent validity and enforceability.

• Case B: Biotech Breakthroughs and Trade Secrets

  A major biotech firm faced allegations of trade secret theft, which raised questions about the protection of proprietary formulas and research data in the industry.

• Case C: Copyright in the Age of AI

  This landmark case addressed the copyrightability of AI-generated works, sparking debates on authorship and ownership in creative industries.

• Case D: Trademark Disputes in E-commerce

  Several e-commerce giants were involved in a trademark dispute over brand names, emphasizing the importance of brand protection in the digital marketplace.

• Case E: International IP Enforcement

  This case highlighted the challenges of enforcing intellectual property rights across borders, showcasing the need for international cooperation in IP law.

These cases not only reflect the evolving nature of intellectual property law but also the increasing complexity of protecting innovations in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

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Apple Inc. v. Gesture Technology Partners

Apple, along with LG Electronics and Google, challenged U.S. Patent No. 7,933,431, which relates to camera-based sensing in handheld devices. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) ruled that most claims were unpatentable, but Apple appealed the decision regarding two claims. Gesture Technology Partners cross-appealed, arguing that certain claims should remain valid. The Federal Circuit upheld the PTAB’s ruling, reinforcing that expired patents can still be reviewed.

Emotional Perception AI Ltd v. Comptroller-General of Patents

This case revolved around the patentability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) used for media recommendations. The UK Intellectual Property Office initially rejected the patent, arguing that it was merely a computer program. However, the High Court overturned the decision, stating that ANNs are not traditional computer programs. The ruling has significant implications for AI-related patents, as it challenges existing UK patent laws.

Getty Images v. Stability AI

Getty Images sued Stability AI for copyright infringement, alleging that Stability AI used Getty’s images without permission to train its AI model, Stable Diffusion. Getty argued that AI-generated outputs reproduced substantial parts of its copyrighted images. Stability AI admitted that some Getty images were used but did not specify which ones. The High Court ruled in favor of Getty, setting a precedent for AI and intellectual property rights