Ross Dannenberg
Founding Partner, Managing Partner
Representative Matters
- Led major software portfolio work: helped oversee prosecution, portfolio management, and counseling for enterprise software and communications clients.
- Built valuable video game portfolios: developed patent strategies for game developers and publishers covering user input, training, matchmaking, and in-game systems.
- Handled broad IP disputes: represented clients in trademark, copyright, patent, and TTAB matters across technology, consumer products, and craft brewing.
With a background in computer science, Ross handles all facets of intellectual property procurement, counseling, and enforcement. In addition to working on thousands of software patent prosecution matters, Ross has extensive experience with contentious patent, copyright and trademark matters, including litigation, counseling and licensing, for companies in virtually every industry, including video games, software development, automobile parts and manufacturing, healthcare, medical devices, and craft brewing. Ross has also led numerous copyright litigations defending firm clients from accusations of infringement by performance rights organizations (e.g., ASCAP) and other copyright enforcement entities.
Ross, a lifetime fellow of the American Bar Foundation, is a recognized leader in video game intellectual property issues. He is an adjunct professor of Copyright Law and Video Game and Immersive Entertainment Law; the founder and editor-in-chief of the PatentArcade.com (opens in a new tab) legal blog; editor and principal contributor of The American Bar Association's Legal Guide to Video Game Development (opens in a new tab); editor of The American Bar Association's Computer Games and Immersive Entertainment: Next Frontiers in Intellectual Property Law (opens in a new tab); and founding chair of the American Bar Association's IP Section Committee on Computer Games and Virtual Worlds. He also serves on the editorial board for the Interactive Entertainment Law Review (IELR), and has been a member of the Video Game Bar Association since its inception.
"Experienced in all facets of computer science, Ross has carved a niche in the video gaming world, setting high scores with his work, even when faced with fiendish levels of difficulty." - IAM Patent 1000
Having obtained a patent of his own, Ross has prepared and/or prosecuted thousands of patent applications for others over his 20+ year legal career. He has patent experience with user-interfaces, mobile apps, web services, APIs, Internet routing and networking, blockchain, cryptocurrency, video game, telecommunications, embedded systems, and a multitude of other computer software-related technologies.
Ross' clients include multinational software, networking, and telecommunications companies, multiple video game companies having user bases of over 20 million users, video game developers and publishers of various sizes, and emerging technology companies.
Character Attributes
- Master Protector of Innovation.
- Branding Marksman.
- Copyright Pedagogue.
- Attach Bonus Against Trolls.
- High Score in Video Game Patents.
- Deadly with a Pen.
Recent Speaking, Publications, and Firm News
Ross Dannenberg and Scott Kelly to Attend More than Just a Game 2026
The attorneys will travel to London to speak on video games and IP.
Read more
All KellDann Partners on Amicus Brief regarding Copyright and Video Game Creativity
The amicus brief in Upper Deck v. Milton focuses on whether creative selection/arrangement of game mechanics could be copyrightable.
Read more
More Than Just a Game Conference on the Road features Ross Dannenberg
Ross Dannenberg spoke at the 2026 More Than Just a Game on the Road conference in Washington, D.C.
Read more
Ross Presents at FICPI Sweden Webinar on IP and Software
Ross Dannenberg participated in a FICPI Sweden Webinar Presentation on overlap of forms of IP related to software.
Read more
Ross Dannenberg Quoted by Law360 on the Pokemon Patent Concern
Ross Dannenberg was quoted in Law360 regarding Pok?mon-related patents and claim scope.
Read more
Ross Dannenberg Recognized in IP Stars in 2025
Ross Dannenberg was recognized in IP Stars in 2025 for intellectual property work.
Read more