d7c8 Christopher K. Larus
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Christopher K. Larus

Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.

2800 LaSalle Plaza, 800 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-349-8500 (firm)
612-339-4181 (firm fax)
http://www.rkmc.com

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PROFILE

rkmc

"A trial lawyer focused on helping inventors, developers, authors, and brand holders maximize the value of their intellectual property."

Practice Groups

Experience

Innovation is the lifeblood of the American economy. Throughout his 20 year legal career, Chris has helped his clients protect their intellectual property rights. Chris tries complex patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and licensing cases. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in courts throughout the country, and in both national and international arbitration.

Chris also works with clients to protect and monetize intellectual property assets outside of disputes context.  Chris has extensive experience planning and implementing licensing campaigns involving a broad range of intellectual property assets and technologies.   Chris works to understand every client’s unique goals and tailor strategies designed to maximize each clients’ return on investment.

In addition to directly advocating for his clients, Chris has extensive experience as an arbitrator in both national and international arbitration. He serves as an appointed arbitrator in disputes before the American Arbitration Association and World Intellectual Property Organization. Chris has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyer and listed in The Best Lawyers in America. He is a frequent lecturer and author on intellectual property topics, and is often quoted in the business and legal press. For a full list of his publications, presentations and representative matters, see the listing below.

Chris is actively involved in his community and recently completed service on the Board of Directors of The Children’s Theatre of Minneapolis - an internationally recognized theatre dedicated to children's programming.

Chris also devotes substantial time to pro bono representation.  Chris is married to his wife of 17 years, and is the father of two creative and talented daughters.

Selected Results:

Chris has served as lead counsel in more than twenty-five patent cases.  Many of these have settled on confidential terms.  Additional specific results include:

Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy v. Phillips Beverage Company: Trial counsel for defendant in $100 Million international arbitration proceeding brought by French multi-national seller of luxury goods arising from alleged breach of trademark license agreement; obtained a complete defense verdict and an award of fees from unanimous three member panel.

Graco Minnesota, Inc. v. TTI, Inc.:  Lead counsel for patent holder case involving spray pump technology.  Case settled on confidential terms follow successful opposition to motion to transfer venue. 

U.S. Water Services, Inc. v. Chem-Treat, Inc.:  Co-Counsel for defendant in patent infringement and trade secret dispute involving ethanol processing technologies.  Obtained summary of non-infringement. 

Nilfisk-Advance v. Tennant Corp.:  Lead counsel for claimant in false advertising dispute before the National Advertising Division (“NAD”).  Arbitration panel issued order in favor of client finding that challenged advertising statements were unsubstantiated and should be discontinued. 

U.S. Bank National Ass'n v. 1010 Metrodome Square, LLC: Lead trial counsel for claimant in an arbitration involving property valuation dispute; obtained panel award to client.

Simmons, Inc. v. Bombardier Recreation Products: Represented patent holder in a patent infringement case brought by a small family-held business against world's largest manufacturer of motorized recreational products; case settled on confidential terms following Markman hearing and finding of infringement as a matter of law.  (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.) 

Transclean, Inc. v. Bridgewood Services, Inc.: Trial counsel for patent holder in a case involving claims of patent infringement and false advertising. The jury found in favor of client on all claims after a two week trial; later represented patent holder in defense of verdict on appeal before the Federal Circuit. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Lead counsel for trademark holder Best Buy in trademark infringement and dilution cases in courts throughout the United States enforcing rights in the BEST BUY and GEEK SQUAD marks, including:

  • Rescuecom Corporation, v. BBY Solutions, Inc., d/b/a Best Buy (N.D. New York 5:09-cv-1149 - Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr.)
  • BBY Solutions, Inc., et al. v. Tide, et al. (N.D. Fl. 1:10-cv-00101 - Judge Maurice M. Paul)
  • BBY Solutions, Inc. et al. v. Schwartz, et al.  (E.D. New York 11-cv-00947 - Judge E. Thomas Boyle)
  • BBY Solutions, Inc., et al. v. Karrie-Lee Karreman, et al. (D. Minn. 10-cv-4726 - Judge  Michael J. Davis) 

Liberty Bell Equipment Corp. v. Graco Minnesota, Inc.  Lead counsel for defendant in trademark infringement suit.  Case settled on confidential terms following defeat of trademark holder’s motion for summary judgment. 

Great Clips, Inc. v. Hair Cuttery of Greater Boston, L.L.C. and Great Cuts, Inc.: Won summary judgment on behalf of trademark holder Great Clips, Inc. Result affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Phillips Products v. R.H. Phillips Vineyard, et al.: Represented defendant in a case involving claims of trademark infringement; case settled on confidential terms following hearing on motion for summary judgment. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Mulcahy v. Cheetah Learning LLC: Lead counsel for defendant in a case involving alleged infringement of copyrights in test preparation materials; case settled on confidential terms after the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of client and reversed grant of permanent injunction. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Amstel Music, et al. v. 800 Video, Inc.: Lead counsel for defendant in a case involving claims of alleged infringement of copyrights in musical works; plaintiff dismissed all claims against client during discovery phase with no payment by client. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Ag-Chem Equipment Co. v. Ceram Traz Corp.: Trial Counsel for plaintiff in a case involving claims for breach of contract and misrepresentation in which jury awarded verdict in excess of $1 million; later represented client in defense of verdict on appeal before the Minnesota Court of Appeals. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Harmon Glass Co. v. Hawkeye Auto Glass, Inc.: Trial counsel for defendant in which jury found in favor of client on claims involving price discrimination and misrepresentation. (Prior to joining Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.)

Sole arbitrator in multi-million dollar dispute arising from software development and Oracle implementation program. Presided over week long arbitration hearing and numerous pre-hearing disputes under the American Arbitration Association’s Complex Commercial Rules.

Sole arbitrator in multi-million dollar dispute relating to inventorship dispute.  Presided over week long arbitration hearing and numerous pre-hearing disputes under the American Arbitration Association’s Complex Commercial Rules.

Past results are reported to provide the reader with an indication of the type of litigation in which we practice and do not and should not be construed to create an expectation of result in any other case as all cases are dependent upon their own unique fact situation and applicable law.

Recognition*

  • Named an “IP Star,” IP Stars (2013)
  • Named one of "Minnesota's Best Lawyers," Best Lawyers in America and Minnesota Monthly (2013)
  • Named a "Litigation Star," Benchmark Litigation (2013 edition)
  • Named a "Best Lawyer in America - Patent Law" by Best Lawyers in America (2010-2013 editions)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2010-2013 editions)
  • Named one of Minnesota's "Top 40 Intellectual Property Attorneys" by Law & Politics (2007- 2009)
  • Named a "Minnesota Super Lawyer," Super Lawyers (2004, 2006-2012)  

*Being named to the list or receiving the award is not intended and should not be viewed as comparative to other lawyers or to create an expectation about results that might be achieved in a future matter.

Community Service

  • Children's Theatre Company, Board Member (2009-2012)

Professional Associations

  • American Arbitration Association Commercial Disputes Panel, Member
  • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Center For Dispute Resolution, Member
  • Minnesota State Bar Association Court Rules and Administration Committee, Appointed Co-Chair (2008-2010)
  • Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association Trademark and Unfair Competition Law Committee, Chair (2006-2010)
  • Hennepin County Bar Association Nominating Committee, Appointed Member (2005-2007)

Bar Admissions

  • Eastern District of Texas
  • Minnesota
  • New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Minnesota
  • U.S. District Court, Nebraska

Education

  • University of Minnesota, J.D., cum laude
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.S.

See Library Tab for articles, publications and presentations
by Christopher Larus

LIBRARY

Publications

Speeches

  • Trademark Litigation: A 2013 Update
    The Knowledge Congress, Webcast (March 5, 2013)

  • Hot Topics in District Court Litigation
    Association of Corporate Patent Counsel, Orlando, Florida (January 27-30, 2013)

  • Patent Litigation 2012
    The Knowledge Congress, Webcast (March 22, 2012)

  • The Use of Consumer Surveys in Patent Cases for Damages Apportionment
    Licensing Executives Society, Anaheim, California (March 13, 2012)

  • The Role of Consumer Surveys in Proving Patent Infringement Damages
    Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 23, 2011)

  • Recent Developments in Intellectual Property Law for Civil Litigators
    Hennepin County Bar Association (December 13, 2010)

  • The Use of Arbitration Provisions in Licensing Agreements - One Size May Not Fit All
    LES Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (May 7, 2009)

  • Open Source Code: Recent Developments and Practical Implications
    2008 Midwest Computer Law Institute (October 24, 2008)

  • The Use of Arbitration Provisions in Licensing Agreements - One Size May Not Fit All
    Licensing Executives Society, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 16, 2008)

  • Using Graphics Animation and Computer Generated Presentations to Teach Complex Patents to Judges and Juries
    Minnesota State Bar Association, Minnesota CLE Conference Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota (September 27-28, 2007)

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution in Intellectual Property Disputes
    Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 29, 2007)

  • Medimmune v. Genetech: A Legal and Business Discussion About the Ruling and Business Implications of the Recent Supreme Court Ruling
    Licensing Executives Society, Minneapolis, Minnesota (March 13, 2007)

  • Intellectual Property Enforcement and Licensing-Understanding the Impact of Medimmune v. Genetech 
    Minnesota CLE (February 2007)

  • Establishing Guidelines for Comparative Advertising Campaigns
    American Conference Institute, Achieving Commercial Success in the Face of Food Regulation & Litigation (September 2006)

  • The Arbitration of Licensing and Distributorship Disputes
    Association of University Technology Masters Annual Meeting (August 2006)

  • Open Source Code – Understanding and Managing the Risks
    Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting (May 2006)

  • Developing and Assessing Comparative Advertising Campaigns
    American Conferences Institute, Achieving Commercial Success in the Face of Food Regulation & Litigation (January 2006)

  • Practical Tips for Resolving Advertising Disputes
    Advertising Law in Minnesota (October 2005)

  • Conference on International Intellectual Property Law
    Chair, Center for International Legal Studies, Austria (March 2003)

  • Recovery of Monetary Remedies in Trade Secret Cases
    CLE Program (March 2002)

  • Monetary Remedies Under United States Trademark Law
    Cross-Border Intellectual Property Issues, Center for International Legal Studies (March 2002)

In The News

Quoted In:

  • The Minneapolis Star Tribune

  • The St. Paul Pioneer Press

  • Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

  • Minnesota Business

  • ABA Journal

  • IP Law 360

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