Innovator in Light Sport Amphibious Aircraft Relies on Martensen IP to Protects its Large IP Portfolio

California-based Icon Aircraft is pushing the limits of innovation with its new light sport aircraft. The company developed an amphibious model that can take off and land on a conventional runway or on water and can even be stored in your garage. Designed to be compact, with folding wings for easy storage, and safe to fly, the aircraft was highly marketable and poised for commercial success when the founder came to Martensen IP for guidance.

Recalling his first meeting with founder Kirk Hawkins, “It was immediately apparent that his ideas were innovative and valuable. It was also clear that competitors could easily reverse engineer the products, their design, and how they are built.” So, we promptly filed for a number of patents to protect Icon’s intellectual property both in the U.S. and internationally.

A Long-Term Relationship with a Trusted Intellectual Property Advisor in California

Over the course of more than a decade, we filed over 200 patents for Icon as the company continued to evolve and enhance its products. These patents protect not only the technology behind the aircraft but also their unique physical appearance, which is an important part of their appeal to pilots and passengers.

Our work with Icon Aircraft demonstrates how partnering with an experienced intellectual property attorney in California can provide ongoing strategic value:

• Continuous portfolio management: We regularly review, update, and refine Icon’s intellectual property assets to ensure all innovations—technical and design—receive appropriate protection as the company grows.
• Alignment with business strategy: Our team works with Icon’s engineers and leadership to identify opportunities that support immediate product goals and long-term market positioning.
• IP enforcement and risk mitigation: We watch new market entrants and competitors to help guard against potential infringement issues, and advise on the preferred approaches when an intellectual property dispute arises under California law or federal regulations.
• Supporting commercialization efforts: By strengthening Icon’s patent portfolio, our attorneys help the company attract new investors, pursue licensing options, and address due diligence requests from partners or acquirers.

Today, Icon is recognized as a worldwide leader in amphibious light sport aircraft. While the founder’s ingenuity drives the company's success, securing the essential technology and design elements of its products has kept competitors at bay and enabled Icon to grow. The organization has expanded and now works with some of the largest law firms in the country on a variety of legal issues that large companies must address. But, Icon still relies on Martensen IP to protect and manage its large and growing intellectual property portfolio.

What an Intellectual Property Attorney in California Can Do for You

Working with an intellectual property law gives innovators and businesses a key advantage in a highly competitive market. Each phase of the intellectual property journey, from ideation to commercialization, presents complex legal requirements, regional differences, and risks that demand strategic guidance. Our team at Martensen IP is committed to helping clients through each of these stages, using our knowledge of California’s innovation economy, state statutes, and court systems to protect your intellectual assets.

By choosing a California-based intellectual property law firm, you receive advice tailored to the local legal context. For example, we guide clients through the application process for patents and trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and also advocate for our clients’ intellectual property rights in California’s state courts. Whether you face infringement in the Silicon Valley technology sector or need to protect a product launch in San Diego, we understand the business impact of intellectual property litigation and work to minimize risk so that you can focus on growth and innovation.

If you are considering partnering with an intellectual property attorney in California, here are several ways our team can assist:

• Pursuing robust registration: Preparing and filing patent applications, trademark applications, and copyright applications to help ensure maximum protection both within California and nationwide.
• Providing strategic counsel: Helping you build an intellectual property portfolio that aligns with your business strategy, whether you are developing a new product or entering a licensing agreement.
• Enforcing and defending rights: Representing you in disputes in local courts such as the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California or the California State Court system.
• Protecting trade secrets: Advising on best practices to secure confidential information, especially for companies operating within California’s robust innovation economy.

To learn more, contact our team today.