On November 11, 2025, we welcomed Mr. Michael Stein, founder of Stein IP LLC to our office, for an insightful seminar on software protection in the United States. In today's digital landscape, software is among the most valuable—yet vulnerable—assets a company owns. It can be easily copied, reverse-engineered, or leaked, often leading to serious financial harm.

During the seminar, Michael Stein outlined four key approaches to effective software protection: copyright for source and object code as works; patents for novel, non-abstract technical functionalities; trade secrets for patent-ineligible elements, offering an unlimited lifespan; and contracts through licensing agreements that define the rights and obligations of all parties. Each method offers a different layer of protection, and Michael explained how they can be used together to build a strong legal shield.

The seminar also featured engaging conversations on two key topics: patent protection in the AI era and common IP disputes in cross-border e-commerce, along with practical solutions.

We extend our sincere thanks to Michael Stein for his valuable sharing. His practical strategies and clear explanations provided great help and inspiration to all the participants.