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Christopher C. Smith

IP Litigation, Post-Grant Proceedings, Licensing, & Patentability Opinions

Michigan

(248) 226-2780

  • Overview
  • Representative Matters
  • Background
  • Featured Content
  • Insights

Industries

  • Financial Solutions
  • IT Services
  • Automotive
  • Autonomous and Mobility Technology
  • Electrical & Computer Technology
  • Life Science & Medical Device
  • Consumer Products

Christopher Smith's practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, with a primary emphasis on patent litigation. Additionally, Chris is involved with the prosecution of patent and trademark applications, and the preparation of invalidity and infringement opinions.

Chris is a registered patent attorney authorized to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He has represented clients from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individual inventors in a variety of industries. Chris is experienced in a wide range of technologies including: (1) automotive, including infotainment; (2) medical devices; (3) internet, including content deliver networks; and (4) telecommunications, including fiber optics.

Chris is also experienced in prosecuting patent applications. His experience in patent prosecution has helped him better understand the process of obtaining a patent, including analyzing file histories, which has been invaluable to him during litigation, especially in formulating claim construction and invalidity positions.

Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Chris was a patent litigation attorney at Kirkland and Ellis in Los Angeles, where he was involved in a number of cases involving cutting-edge technologies. While doing so, he was a member of several trial teams which were able to win favorable outcomes for their clients.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan and a law degree from UCLA. Additionally, Chris worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable R. Gary Klausner of the Central District of California, where he gained valuable insight into the inner workings of the federal judiciary.

Outside of the office, Chris enjoys fishing and swimming with his kids, bowling, and trying to avoid sand traps and water hazards on the golf course.

Representative District Court/ITC Matters

Versata Software v. Ford Motor Company (E.D. Michigan and E.D. Texas): Lead counsel for Ford in lawsuits involving over 30 alleged trade secrets, 16 patents, 5 copyrights and 3 breach of contract claims relating to complex enterprise software for product configuration.  Versata originally sought over $1.4 Billion in damages from Ford.  After more than 8 years of litigation in federal courts in Michigan and Texas, more than 20 IPRs/CBMRs, over 60 depositions, over 1000 docket entries including multiple rounds of claim construction, summary judgment and Daubert challenges, and a three-week jury trial, John and his team held Versata to just $3 in nominal damages.  Case No. 2:15-cv-10628.

Kar Enterprises v. Ford Motor Company (Settlement – D. Massachusetts): Counsel for defendant Ford Motor Company in patent infringement lawsuit involving speed limiting system for a vehicle. Chris was involved in all facets of the case including claim construction, inventor depositions and preparation of expert reports. The case concluded in a favorable settlement for Ford. Case No. 4:11-cv-11200

Omega Patents, LLC v. General Motors LLC et al. (Settlement – N.D. Georgia): Counsel for defendants General Motors and Onstar in a patent infringement lawsuit involving vehicle remote systems. The case concluded in a favorable settlement for defendants. Case No. 1:12-cv-01192

Omega Patents, LLC v. Lear Corp. (Settlement – M.D. Florida): Counsel for defendant Lear Corporation in patent infringement lawsuit involving vehicle remote start technology. The case concluded in a favorable settlement. Case No. 6:07-CV-1422

Mallinckrodt, Inc. et al. v. E-Z-EM, Inc. (E.D. Texas): Counsel for plaintiffs Mallinckrodt, Inc. and Libel-Flarsheim Company in a patent infringement lawsuit involving contrast injector systems for CT scans and MRIs. Case No. 2:07-cv-00262

Rembrandt Data Techs., LP v. DirecTV, Inc. et al. (Summary Judgment – E.D. Virginia): Counsel for defendant DirecTV in a patent infringement lawsuit involving modems used in satellite TVboxes. Summary judgment was granted in favor of DirecTV. Case No. 1:08-cv-01009

Level 3 Comms., LLC v. Limelight Networks, Inc. (Jury Trial – E.D. Virginia): Counsel for defendant Limelight Networks in patent infringement lawsuit involving content delivery networks. Chris was an integral member of the trial team that obtained a jury verdict of non-infringement for defendant Limelight Networks. The jury verdict was affirmed on appeal. Case No. 2:07-cv-00589

Akamai Techs., Inc. et al. v. Limelight Networks, Inc. (D. Massachusetts): Counsel for defendant Limelight Networks in patent infringement lawsuit involving content delivery networks. Chris was an integral member of trial team for defendant Limelight Networks. Chris worked on all facets of the case including discovery, trial and the preparation of post-trial briefing, which included preparation of a motion for reconsideration that was granted and resulted in overturning the jury verdict to find no infringement by Limelight. Case No. 1:06-cv-11109

Foremost In Packaging Sys. v. Cold Chain Techs. (Summary Judgment – C.D. California): Counsel for defendant Cold Chain Technologies in a patent infringement lawsuit involving transportation coolers for pharmaceuticals. Chris was an integral part of team that prepared successful motions for summary judgment in favor of Cold Chain Technologies. Case No. 8:05-cv-00024; 2:06-cv-01156

Education

J.D., UCLA School of Law

B.S.E., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Alpha Sigma Mu Honors Society

Organizations & Affiliations

Michigan Inn of Courts – Master

State Bar of California

State Bar of Michigan

Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association – President 2021-222

Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Association – Vice Chair of Licensing and Related Issues, Patent Licensing Committee

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Licensing Executive Society

Federal Bar Association Eastern District of Michigan Chapter

Recognitions

“Legal Lions of the Week”, Law 360, 2023

“IP Star”, Managing Intellectual Property, 2022

“Rising Star,” Michigan Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property, 2012-2019

 

Industries

  • Financial Solutions
  • IT Services
  • Automotive
  • Autonomous and Mobility Technology
  • Electrical & Computer Technology
  • Life Science & Medical Device
  • Consumer Products

Presentations

Panelist, “Identifying and Avoiding Obstacles While Preparing Supplier Agreements,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 48th Annual Meeting, September 2020

Co-presenter, “Year In Review: 2019 Intellectual Property Litigation,” BK Webinar, February 2020

Presenter, “Making It Happen: Strategies for Cross-Industry Success,”IAM Patent Licensing Event, October 2019

Presenter, “Dawn of a New Era: Licensing and Standards in the Coming Age of 5G,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 47th Annual Meeting, September 2019

Moderator, “All Bark, No Bite: An Analysis of IP Contractual Terms That Are Unenforceable or Result in Unintended Consequences,” Intellectual Property Owners Association 45th Annual Meeting, September 2017

Presenter, “Licensing Strategies with an Eye Towards Litigation,” Intellectual Property Owners IP Licensing Committee, March 2016

Speaker, “Intellectual Property Law and Patent Litigation,” University of Michigan – Michigan Materials Society, April 2014

Speaker, “I.P. Law 101” presented at the University of Michigan Materials Science Department Luncheon, March 2013

Speaker, “Patent 101: What Every Inventor Should Know,” ASM International Emerging Professionals Committee Webinar, June 2011

Publications

Co-Author, “Dawn of a New Era: Licensing and Standards in the Coming Age of 5G,” The Licensing Journal, March 2020

Author, “A Spoonful of Licensing Helps the Medicine Go Down: Avoiding Standing Problems Between Related Entities in Patent Cases,” Association of Corporate Counsel, May 2015

Author, “Patent Law: A Career Alternative or an Engineering Tool,” ASM News, March 2011

Author, “The Submarine Defense System Misfires: Patent Prosecution Laches After Symbol Technologies,” 40 Gonz. L. Rev. 236 (2004/2005)

Insights

Client Alerts

Director Vidal Issues Favorable Ruling in Ford IPR

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Chris Smith Re-Appointed to Vice Chair of IPO’s IP Licensing & Related Issues Committee

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Media Coverage

Brooks Kushman Featured in Law360 Article on Michigan’s Biggest Decisions Of 2023

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Client Alerts

Court Enters Final Judgement for $3 in Versata Software, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Chris Smith Re-Appointed to Vice Chair of IPO Licensing and Related Issues Committee

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Chris Smith Re-Appointed to Vice Chair of IPO Licensing and Related Issues Committee

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Blog

2020 Supreme Court Intellectual Property Case Review

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Christopher Smith To Present At IPO Association Virtual 2020 Annual Meeting

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Publications

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Christopher Smith Published in The Licensing Journal

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Chris Smith Re-appointed Vice Chair of IPO Patent Licensing Committee

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Webinar

Year in Review: 2019 Intellectual Property Litigation

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Webinar

Technology Licensing Basics – What You Need to Know

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Christopher Smith to Present at IAM Patent Licensing Event

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Christopher Smith to Present at IPO Association Annual Meeting

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Press Releases

Six Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2019 Super Lawyers List; Seven Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Re-appointed Vice Chair Of IPO IP Licensing Committee

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Presentations

Thomas Lewry and and Christopher Smith to Speak at Two Panels Focusing on Developments in Patents and Licensing

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Press Releases

Twelve Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2018 Super Lawyers List; Eight Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars

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Client Alerts

Supreme Court Rules That § 284 Permits Lost Profits Damages Based on Lost Foreign Sales

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Webinar

IP Provisions Made Simple

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman Attorneys to Speak at Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association Luncheon

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Elected Vice Chair of IPO IP Licensing Committee

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Press Releases

Twelve Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2017 Super Lawyers List; Ten Attorneys Honored As Rising Stars

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Webinar

Quarterly Review: Impacts on Intellectual Property

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Client Alerts

Authorized Product Sale Exhausts Patent Rights Worldwide

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Blog

ED Texas To Transfer Patent Infringement Case

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Client Alerts

Exporting Single Part Doesn’t Violate Section 271(F)(1)

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Press Releases

Eight Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named To 2016 Super Lawyers List; Eight Attorneys Honored As Rising Stars

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Attorney Named IPO Licensing Committee Secretary

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Media Coverage

Ford Wins More Hybrid Vehicle Patent Appeal Board Reviews- Brooks Kushman

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Press Releases

Fifteen Brooks Kushman Attorneys Named 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

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Blog

IP Law Tracker Docket Review – II

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Blog

IP Law Tracker Docket Review – III

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Blog

IP Law Tracker Docket Review

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Blog

BK Attorney Cautions Organizations That Assign Patents To IP Holding Companies

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Blog

IP Law Tracker Docket Review – IV

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Publications

Brooks Kushman Shareholder Discusses Standing Issues Between Related Entities In Patent Cases In ACC Quick Counsel

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Press Releases

Sixteen Brooks Kushman Attorneys Named 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

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Presentations

Brooks Kushman Associate Discusses IP law at the University of Michigan

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Media Coverage

Four Brooks Kushman Lawyers Named to 2013 Super Lawyers List; Ten Attorneys Honored as Rising Stars

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Presentations

Christopher Smith to speak at ASM International Webinar on Patent Law

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Press Releases

Patent Law: A Career Alternative or an Engineering Tool

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Press Releases

Brooks Kushman Hires Smith as Associate as Litigation Practice Grows

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