Frank partners with innovators to develop and execute smart patent strategies that help them compete in global markets. His clients include growing, dynamic companies pioneering next-generation electrical and computer technologies including cryptocurrency and blockchain systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, autonomous vehicles, and medical devices.
Recognized as one of the World’s Leading IP Strategists by Intellectual Asset Management magazine, Frank often works hand in hand with clients to build their companies’ portfolios from the ground up. Although his clients include companies of all sizes, his practice focuses in particular on start-ups and mid-market companies whose patent portfolio is core to the value of their business. Frank’s keen technical skills allow him to collaborate closely with clients to identify the best opportunities for protecting their technology using a patent strategy carefully tailored to their goals. He has handled portfolios ranging from several to hundreds of patents and brings an exceptional understanding of the complexities of global patentability — including jurisdictional differences in patent law — to his work managing international filings and coordinating claim development to ensure global enforceability.
Prior to joining Mintz, Frank was a partner with a global intellectual property firm in Boston. Earlier he started his own web hosting company, DGN Enterprises, and worked in software engineering at a Boston-area start-up.
In addition, Frank has an active pro bono practice, and has worked extensively with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and many other nonprofit organizations.
viewpoints
Contemplating the Impact of the USPTO’s AI-Focused Patent Eligibility Guidance on Networking Applications
October 9, 2024 | Blog | By Frank Gerratana, Jonathon Western
New guidance issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on patent subject matter eligibility under 35 U.S.C. § 101, focusing on AI and other software-related emerging technologies.
Understanding the 2024 USPTO Guidance Update on AI Patent Eligibility
July 25, 2024 | Blog | By Frank Gerratana, Terri Shieh-Newton, Qi Zhang
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued an important update to its guidance on patent subject matter eligibility.
Is Your Blockchain Invention Patentable?
May 29, 2024 | Blog | By Frank Gerratana
Blockchain is becoming central to more FinTech patent portfolios than ever – but it’s harder to obtain protection on blockchain than most other technologies. The US Supreme Court’s decision in Alice v. CLS Bank (2014) strengthened limits on what subject matter is eligible for patent protection under 35. U.S.C. §101.
Navigating AI Integration: USPTO's New Guidance for Patent and Trademark Practices
May 9, 2024 | Blog | By Terri Shieh-Newton, Frank Gerratana, Qi Zhang
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a pivotal guidance document, effective April 11, on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within patent and trademark practices.
SEC Approves Spot Bitcoin ETFs But Gensler Still Disapproves of Crypto
January 12, 2024 | Blog | By David Adams, Edmund P. Daley, Christopher D'Aliso, Frank Gerratana
AI-Based Patent Applications: Recent History and the Future
October 30, 2023 | Blog | By Vishak Ganesh, Frank Gerratana
The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) as a field of technology has correlated with an increase in patent application filings on AI-related inventions over the past two decades. With more filings than ever, businesses and institutions developing AI-based technology are claiming rights over key innovations in this space.
Intellectual Property for the Metaverse
May 24, 2023 | Blog | By Frank Gerratana, Amritaa Ganguly
As metaverse-related technology and branding initiatives continue to grow, innovators in the space may need to pursue IP protection. Mintz Member Frank Gerratana and Associate Amritaa Ganguly discuss the use of patents, trademarks, and copyrights to protect innovations and creative activity associated with this new virtual world.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS: Intellectual Property — Avoiding Pitfalls: IP “Dos and Don’ts” for High-Tech Start-Ups
May 11, 2023 | Podcast | By Daniel Weinger, Frank Gerratana, Greg Penoyer
In this latest episode of EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS, Members Daniel Weinger and Frank Gerratana, along with Associate Greg Penoyer, explore how high-tech start-ups can set themselves up for IP success. The podcast covers the dos and don’ts related to founding documents, provisional patent applications and strategy, trademarks, open source considerations, and more.
Avoiding Pitfalls: IP “Dos and Don’ts” for High-Tech Start Ups
February 27, 2023 | Blog | By Daniel Weinger, Frank Gerratana, Greg Penoyer
Starting a high-tech company is a difficult, exhausting, and thrilling endeavor – one in which founders will face seemingly endless challenges, deadlines, and make or break decisions. From a venture’s inception, founders face numerous decisions that if not thoughtfully considered can result in significant legal and financial risk.
Lensa: Are AI Art Generators Copyright Infringers?
February 15, 2023 | Blog | By Frank Gerratana, Michael Graif , Sebastian Navarro
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now at our fingertips. No longer a concept hidden behind the walls of Big Tech and academia, AI programs are now available and accessible to everyone. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have made headlines for its human-like conversation and writing, and Lensa has done the same for its ability to create original works of art.
News & Press
Video Camera Patent Ruling Shows Proving Novelty Is Essential
October 21, 2024
Mintz Member Frank Gerratana and Associate Mary Bao wrote an article for Bloomberg Law focused on how a recent ruling in Contour IP Holding v. GoPro provides lessons for how other tech enterprises can go about protecting their intellectual property.
Member Frank Gerratana was quoted by Business Insider in an article about how law firms are utilizing AI:
“Frank Gerratana, a partner at the international firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., said that he sees the integration of AI tools in law firms as a positive that can allow attorneys to spend more time on critical work.”
AI Is Ushering in a Tech Lawyer 'Golden Age'
August 18, 2024
Member Frank Gerratana was quoted by Business Insider in an article about the legal landscape surrounding AI. He discusses the legal concerns that AI presents related to intellectual property rights, privacy and data protection, liability, and human rights issues.
Mintz is pleased to announce that Member and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Division Michael Renaud and Members Matthew Galica, Frank Gerratana, Marguerite McConihe, Michael Newman, Adam Rizk, and James Wodarski have been named to the 2024 IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists list.
The Best Lawyers in America 2025 Recognizes 184 Mintz Attorneys across 56 Practice Areas
August 15, 2024
187 Mintz attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Notably, three Mintz attorneys received 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” awards, and 64 firm attorneys were included in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.
BOSTON – Nine Intellectual Property attorneys from Mintz have been recognized in the 2024 edition of the Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Strategy 300 Global Leaders Guide.
Mintz is pleased to announce that Member and Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Division Michael Renaud and Members Matthew Galica, Frank Gerratana, Marguerite McConihe, Michael Newman, Adam Rizk, Adam Samansky, Daniel Weinger, and James Wodarski have been named to the 2023 IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists list.
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
Billionaire Barry Diller Says The Media Should 'Absolutely' Sue AI Makers Over Ingesting Text From Articles
April 12, 2023
Member Frank Gerratana spoke to Insider about the growing use of AI technology and how this will impact copyright laws.
BOSTON- Six attorneys from Mintz have been recognized in the 2023 edition of the Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) Strategy 300 Global Leaders Guide.
Six Mintz Attorneys Named To IAM Strategy 300 List Of Leading IP Strategists
September 09, 2022
Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property
August 19, 2022
Mintz Named a Law360 2022 Powerhouse in Massachusetts
August 08, 2022
Quentin Tarantino’s Legal Thriller
January 5, 2022
Welcome to ‘Web3.’ What’s That?
December 6, 2021
Events & Speaking
USPTO Technology Centers 3600 & 3700 Customer Partnership Meeting
USPTO Headquarters, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
State Level Initiatives - A Snapshot of the National Policy Landscape: Federal Efforts, State Experiments, and Unpacking Oregon
Psychedelic Law Summit
Online
Tokenizing Creativity: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Intellectual Property
AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute
Rancho Mirage, California
Publications
- Author, "Avoiding Pitfalls: IP “Dos and Don’ts” for High-Tech Start Ups," The Licensing Journal (August 2023)
Recognition & Awards
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch - Intellectual Property Law (2024 - 2025); Patent Law (2024 - 2025)
IAM Strategy 300: The World's Leading IP Strategists (2021 - 2024)
IAM Strategy 300: Global Leaders – All Individuals (2022 - 2024)
Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyer” (2016)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers – Rising Stars list (2015)
Involvement
- Chair, AIPLA Law Practice Management Committee (2018 – 2019)
- Vice Chair, AIPLA Law Practice Management Committee (2016 – 2018)
- Chair, AIPLA New Lawyers Committee (2014 – 2016)
- Vice Chair, AIPLA New Lawyers Committee (2013 – 2014)
Recent Insights
Mintz Member Frank Gerratana and Associate Mary Bao wrote an article for Bloomberg Law focused on how a recent ruling in Contour IP Holding v. GoPro provides lessons for how other tech enterprises can go about protecting their intellectual property.
Member Frank Gerratana was quoted by Business Insider in an article about how law firms are utilizing AI:
“Frank Gerratana, a partner at the international firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., said that he sees the integration of AI tools in law firms as a positive that can allow attorneys to spend more time on critical work.”
