When IP Clauses Fail: Common Dispute Triggers in Technology and Commercial Agreements

In technology and commercial transactions, intellectual property (IP) is often the most valuable asset in the room. Yet disputes rarely arise because parties ignore IP entirely. They arise because IP clauses are poorly drafted, misaligned with commercial expectations, or silent on critical risk allocation issues. When this happens, what was intended to safeguard value becomes a trigger for costly and disruptive litigation.