Whether advising in-house counsel at a Fortune 100 corporation, or counseling principals at a technology start-up, Chris Chan helps clients identify key intellectual property and implement state of the art legal strategies to protect it. His practice encompasses all facets of patent law including international and domestic portfolio management and strategy, patent procurement, opinions and clearance studies, due diligence, licensing and related litigation. Chris offers clients a unique combination of intellectual property legal knowledge, advanced technical training and an intimate understanding of the international marketplace. He obtains and enforces key patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret rights for a variety of technologies, from computers, software, and financial transaction systems, to power generation equipment and controls, electro-mechanical devices and medical devices.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Chris worked as a power industry engineer analyzing and resolving mechanical issues relating to power plant equipment and systems. He is skilled in identifying weaknesses in third-party patents and prepares non-infringement and invalidity opinions. He counsels clients on alternative options, including reexamination, design-around, and pre-litigation activities. Chris focuses on one of the fastest growing global IP issues: protecting and leveraging trademarks and IP on the Internet, including in social media, keywords and sponsored links and domain names. Chris also devises and implements proactive strategies to defend against aggressive patent holding companies.
Awards and Rankings
Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of patent: patent prosecution (2018)
Recognized by the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association with the Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award (2016)
Experience
“In addition to writing patents, I help clients analyze and strategically manage their patent portfolio, which generally entails acquiring new patent rights and/or enforcing existing rights. My practice involves blending intellectual property and patent expertise with a deep and unique understanding of the international marketplace.”
Experience
Provides patent prosecution and counseling services to The Coca-Cola Company, including obtaining numerous patents for the Freestyle dispenser.
Provides domestic and international patent prosecution and counseling services to a leading e-commerce and consumer electronics company.
Provides worldwide patent prosecution and counseling services to GE Power related to power generation equipment and renewable power sources.
Represented one of the largest credit card processors in patent counseling and prosecution.
Provides domestic and international patent prosecution and counseling services to a Fortune 100 multinational technology company.
Advises a Fortune 50 healthcare corporation on intellectual property matters, including counseling, prosecution and portfolio management.
Represented Tillotson Corporation in one of the largest patent enforcement actions as measured by the number of defendants sued.
Represents one of the world’s largest oilfield services corporations in patent prosecution and counseling.
News
In the News
Trade Tension Between China and US (August 7, 2018)
Atlanta Business Chronicle BIZ
Eversheds Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan sits down with Atlanta Business Chronicle BIZ to discuss trade tensions between China and US and the effect on Georgia businesses.
Leadership Atlanta Names 89 to Class of 2019 (May 3, 2018)
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Eversheds Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan is mentioned in this Atlanta Business Chronicle article for recently being elected to the 2019 Leadership Atlanta Class. Of these individuals in the ...
Chinese IP Moves May Cause Uncertainty for Multinationals (March 22, 2018)
Bloomberg Law
Eversheds Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan is quoted in this Bloomberg Law article regarding the Chinese government’s decision to create a National Market Supervision Administration (NMSA) to ...
China Expands IP Pilot Program to Smaller Cities (January 11, 2018)
Bloomberg BNA
Eversheds Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan is quoted in this Bloomberg BNA article regarding China’s recent expansion of an intellectual property rights pilot program aimed to close the disparity ...
How a U.S.-China Trade War Could Affect Georgia (January 19, 2017)
WABE 90.1
In an interview with WABE 90.1, Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan provides insight on how a potential trade war between the U.S. and China could affect Georgia. During the president’s campaign, he ...
Napa Valley Vintners Gain Big Victory in China Dispute (October 4, 2016)
Bloomberg BNA - Patent Trademark & Copyright Journal - Daily Edition
Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan is quoted in this Bloomberg BNA article discussing China’s improvement on intellectual property enforcement after the Napa Valley Vintners Association triumphed in ...
People on the Move - Christopher Chan (June 9, 2016)
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Sutherland Partner Christopher Chan is mentioned in this Atlanta Business Chronicle article for receiving the Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award from the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association ...
Attorneys React to Supreme Court Patent Royalties Case (June 22, 2015)
Law360
Partner Christopher Chan is quoted in this Law360 article regarding the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kimble v. Marvel Enterprises. “The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kimble v. Marvel ...
Another Software Patent is Ruled Patent-Ineligible - Are Business Method and Software Patents at Risk? (November 21, 2014)
Law.com
Sutherland’s legal alert, “Another Software Patent is Ruled Patent-Ineligible - Are Business Method and Software Patents at Risk?,” is featured on Law.com.
Press Releases
Eversheds Sutherland Represents Advisor Group in Merger Agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services (November 13, 2019)
Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that it represented Advisor Group, one of the nation’s largest networks of independent wealth management firms, in entering a definitive merger agreement ...
Eversheds Sutherland Represents Great-West in proposed sale of its individual life insurance and annuity business (January 25, 2019)
NEW YORK - Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that it is representing Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company in the proposed sale of its individual life insurance and annuity business ...
18 Eversheds Sutherland Practice Areas, 68 Attorneys Named Among Nation’s Best in 2018 Legal 500 United States (May 30, 2018)
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is pleased to announce that 18 practice areas and 68 attorneys have been recognized in the 2018 edition of The Legal 500 United States, a comprehensive survey of legal ...
Eversheds Sutherland (US) Partner Christopher Chan Selected to Leadership Atlanta Class of 2019 (May 1, 2018)
ATLANTA-Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Christopher Chan has been selected to take part in the 2019 Leadership Atlanta program. This competitive program offers an ...
Partner Christopher Chan Recognized by Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (June 8, 2016)
ATLANTA-Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Christopher J. Chan has been recognized with the Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award by the Georgia Asian Pacific American ...
Presentations
“I chose patent law because I wanted a practice that employed the technical and business skills I developed as a mechanical engineer in the electric power industry. Patent law allows me to continuously advance my technical and business skills.”
Presentations
Legal Jeopardy Gameshow Lightning Round: Contemporary Global Legal & Policy Issues in Drone Operations (June 12, 2019)
2019 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Eversheds Sutherland attorneys Chris Chan and Francis Nolan present Legal Jeopardy Gameshow Lightning Round: Contemporary Global Legal & Policy Issues in Drone Operations at the 2019 International ...
Business Development with the Partners! (March 28, 2017)
State Bar of Georgia Diversity Committee’s Business Development Symposium
Eversheds Sutherland US Partner Chris Chan moderates Business Development with the Partners! at the State Bar of Georgia Diversity Committee’s Business Development Symposium on March 28th, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Public Service Path to Political & Judicial Appointment (November 15, 2016)
Georgia Asian Pacific Bar Association (GAPABA)
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan joins a panel to moderate The Public Service Path to Political & Judiciary Appointment at the Georgia Asian Pacific Bar Association (GAPABA) on November 15th, 2016, in ...
Made in China? IP Law and US-China Relations (November 1, 2016)
Emory University East Asia Collective
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan moderates a panel Made in China? IP Law and US-China Relations at the Emory University East Asia Collective on November 1st, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Procurement of Legal Services (October 1, 2016)
National Asian Pacific Bar Association (GAPABA)
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan moderates the panel The Procurement of Legal Services at the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's (NAPABA) 2016 Southeast Regional Conference on October ...
US-China Relations: After the 2016 Presidential Election (August 25, 2016)
Georgia China Alliance
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan moderates the US-China Relations: After the 2016 Presidential Election hosted by the Georgia China Alliance on August 25, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia. The panelists will ...
Annual GALA Rainmakers Panel (May 12, 2016)
Georgia Asian Pacific Bar Association
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan presents Annual GALA Rainmakers Panel at the Georgia Asian Pacific Bar Association (GAPABA) on May 12th, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Privacy and Data Issues and the Policies and Procedures to Address Them (October 28, 2015)
Georgia State University Corporate Intellectual Property Institute
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan moderates the panel Privacy and Data Issues and the Policies and Procedures to Address Them at Georgia State University Corporate Intellectual Property Institute on ...
Understanding the IP and Technology Behind Emerging Payment Systems (September 17, 2015)
American Conference Institute
Sutherland Partner Chris Chan presents Understanding the IP and Technology Behind Emerging Payment Systems at the American Conference Institute on Emerging Payment Systems on September 17th, 2015, ...
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) 26th Annual Convention (November 6-9, 2014)
Sutherland is a proud Gold Sponsor of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) 26th Annual Convention, November 6-9, 2014, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The NAPABA ...
Publications
“I enjoy writing patents. Intellectually, it’s very challenging and it contributes to my professional growth as an attorney. Since patent law is constantly evolving, there are many opportunities to lead and teach others, and to improve myself.”
Legal Alerts
User beware: Increased cost of innocent trademark infringement? (April 27, 2020)
On April 23, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously clarified that the Lanham Act does not require a showing of willful trademark infringement as a statutory prerequisite for a plaintiff to recover ...
Legal Alert: International Design Patent Filing Option Available May 13, 2015, to U.S. Filers (May 11, 2015)
Beginning May 13, 2015, U.S. applicants will be able to file international design patent applications through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, U.S. design patents resulting from ...
Legal Alert: Another Software Patent is Ruled Patent-Ineligible - Are Business Method and Software Patents at Risk? (November 19, 2014)
On November 14, 2014, in a much-anticipated decision following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alice v. CLS Bank, a unanimous U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held in ...
Legal Alert: Alice v. CLS Bank: U.S. Supreme Court Revisits Subject Matter Eligibility Under 35 U.S.C. 101 (June 26, 2014)
On June 19, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Alice Corporation. Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International. et al., a high-profile patent case involving the scope of patent eligibility under 35 U.S.C. ...
Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Industries IP Update (January 2012)
Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Industries IP Update (October 2011)
Financial Services Patent Holding Company Update (September 19, 2011)
Legal Alert: XXX Domains: Prevention is Better than the Cure (September 6, 2011)
Legal Alert: Federal Circuit Tightens Inequitable Conduct Standards: What Does This Mean for Patent Practice in the Future? (May 27, 2011)
Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Industries IP Update (March 2011)
Articles
Eversheds Sutherland presents annual Industrial Foresight Report 2020 (February, 2020)
In collaboration with Eversheds Sutherland Managing Partner Dr. Matthias Heisse .
Our global Diversified Industrials sector team are proud to present our annual Industrial Foresight Report 2020. This report identifies key risks, legislation and commercial developments your company ...
Protecting and Enforcing Intellectual Property Rights in China (Fall 2016)
Partnering Perspectives
China is currently the world’s second largest economy, and the growth opportunities in the consumer market are beginning to outweigh the risks of doing business there. In his article for the Fall ...
The Scope Of Fraud In Multiclass Registrations (April 2, 2009)
Reprinted with permission from IP Law 360, http://www.law360.com
Guidance on a Patentee's Provisional Rights (October 2008)
IP Law360, http://www.law360.com
Newsletters
Partnering Perspectives: Insights from Inside and Outside the Corporate Law Department (Fall 2016)
Partnering Perspectives
Sutherland is pleased to present the Fall 2016 edition of Partnering Perspectives, which provides insight into a number of regulatory hurdles and preventive measures that may benefit legal practices ...
Books
Inside the Minds: Emerging Trends in Business Method Patents (2012)
This Aspatore legal title provides an authoritative insider's perspective on key strategies for keeping up to date on recent developments in the area of business method patents. Partners from some of ...
