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.

In addition to securing core patents, we helped Icon evaluate which innovations were best protected through patents and which were better maintained as trade secrets. That process required us to work closely with the company’s engineering and business teams to understand manufacturing methods, supply chain relationships, and future product plans. By building this knowledge over time, we were able to recommend filing strategies and timing that supported major fundraising rounds and key product announcements in California and beyond.

As the aircraft platform matured, we also assessed the portfolio from the perspective of potential investors, strategic partners, and acquirers. We reviewed existing claims, identified gaps, and suggested follow-on applications that would reinforce Icon’s position against would-be competitors. For a growing aviation company operating in California’s highly regulated environment, this disciplined approach to portfolio management helped demonstrate that the company’s intellectual property was not just extensive, but thoughtfully constructed to support long-term business objectives.

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 firm 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 help 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 help minimize risk so that you can focus on growth and innovation.

When you retain an intellectual property attorney in California, you also gain a partner who understands how local business practices, investment trends, and industry standards influence the value of your portfolio. We regularly help clients in sectors such as software, aerospace, clean energy, and medical devices evaluate which innovations to protect first, how to sequence filings to support funding milestones, and when to consider licensing or collaboration opportunities. This practical, business-focused support allows you to make informed decisions about where to invest limited time and resources.

How We Work With California Businesses and Innovators

Many of the innovators we assist are building companies in fast-paced California markets where timing, confidentiality, and clear ownership of intellectual property make a measurable difference. We begin by learning how your products or services are created, who is involved in development, and where you plan to operate. That context allows us to identify practical steps to secure rights at each stage of growth, whether you are a startup in Silicon Valley preparing for seed funding or an established manufacturer expanding operations within the state.

We also recognize that California businesses often collaborate across borders, sharing technology with partners, universities, or suppliers located in other states or countries. Our team helps you structure agreements, policies, and review processes that take those relationships into account and reduce the chance of disputes over ownership or use of key technology. When questions arise about how federal intellectual property law interacts with California statutes or decisions from courts such as the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, we work with you to understand the practical implications for your plans.

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.

For many clients, a significant benefit of working with an intellectual property lawyer California innovators trust is the ability to anticipate potential issues before they become disputes. We help you review development agreements, supplier contracts, and employee policies to confirm that ownership of key inventions and creative works is clearly defined. When you expand into new markets or introduce new products, we can evaluate existing registrations, search for conflicting rights, and suggest adjustments that reduce the chance of costly rebranding or redesign later on.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Talk to an Attorney About Intellectual Property?

You do not need to wait until a product is finished or a dispute has started to seek legal guidance. Many businesses contact us when they are still refining a concept, preparing to disclose information to investors, or considering a new relationship with a development partner. Speaking with counsel early can help you avoid public disclosures that may limit patent options, clarify who will own resulting technology, and determine whether confidentiality agreements are appropriate for upcoming discussions.

What Information Should I Gather Before Our First Meeting?

It is helpful to collect any documents that describe your technology or creative work, such as design drawings, prototypes, presentations, or software specifications. You should also think about who contributed to the work, how and where it has been used, and any agreements you already have in place with employees, contractors, or collaborators. Bringing this background to an initial conversation allows us to focus on options instead of spending time piecing together basic facts, which can be especially valuable for fast-moving California companies.

How Long Does the Intellectual Property Protection Process Take?

Timelines vary depending on the type of protection you pursue and the complexity of the subject matter. For example, obtaining a patent through the United States Patent and Trademark Office can take several years, while securing a federal trademark registration may be faster if there are no objections or conflicts. Throughout the process, we work with you to set expectations, respond to questions from agencies or courts, and consider interim steps—such as contractual protections or provisional filings—that support your business goals in California and elsewhere.

To learn more, contact our team today.