Chad Rutkowski is a recognized expert on the intersection of copyright and technology. He is the author of Lexis Practical Guidance notes on data licensing and Creative Commons licenses, speaks regularly on copyright issues in software and AI. As co-lead of BakerHostetler’s Technology and IP Transactions and Outsourcing team, he assists clients in the midst of the digital transformation.
Chad helps clients identify and capture the intellectual property (IP) in their valuable data, algorithms and enterprise software. Clients rely on him to help identify their IP, build internal processes for its management, navigate open source and other open innovation strategies and create licensing programs that enable full value realization. He further protects that value in disputes and litigation, whether through enforcing clients’ IP rights or fending off attacks by competitors. He has helped clients protect innovations in AI model training, data standards and taxonomies, population health management, healthcare technology, data-driven water management and video games.
Chad writes and presents regularly on the robust protections afforded by copyright law to software, data, artificial intelligence and related innovations. Since 2018, Chad has educated the bar on AI-related copyright issues, including fair use in model training, ownership of AI outputs and data rights. He has moderated or spoken on more than 35 panels for organizations such as the Copyright Society, the American Bar Association, Practicing Law Institute and the Association of Corporate Counsel. Chad developed the curriculum for the Copyright Society’s AI programming series, and currently serves as chair of the AI committee. He also helped develop the ABA’s AI and Robotics Institute, helped the ABA draft its response to the US Copyright Office’s Notice of Inquiry on AI and Copyright and serves as the chair of the Copyright and Emerging Technology committee of the ABA’s IPL section.
Chad’s interest in how IP law has adapted to digital transformation began in his former role as a founder and business manager of a digital media publisher. He has been recognized as “highly experienced in copyright-related matters relating to software” by Legal500, AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been voted by his peers as a Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer" and "Rising Star".