Christopher K. Larus
Experience
Represents clients ranging from multinational corporations to individual inventors, authors and developers in patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, licensing, advertising and other complex business disputes.
Trial lawyer with experience representing clients in a wide variety of industries, including: computer services and hardware, electronics, medical devices, food and beverage, advertising and promotions, and motorized recreational products.
Frequently represents clients in arbitration and serves as an appointed arbitrator in disputes before the American Arbitration Association and World Intellectual Property Organization.
Outside Experience
- Adjunct Legal Writing Instructor, University of Minnesota Law School (1992-1993)
Selected Results*
Trial counsel for defendant in $100 Million international arbitration proceeding against 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. (Party names withheld due to nature of proceeding).
Lead trial counsel for claimant in U.S. Bank National Ass'n v. 1010 Metrodome Square, LLC, an arbitration involving a property valuation dispute; obtained panel award to client.
Lead counsel for defendant in Mulcahy v. Cheetah Learning LLC, 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.)
Lead counsel for defendant in Amstel Music, et al. v. 800 Video, Inc., 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.)
Represented patent holder in Simmons, Inc. v. Bombardier Recreation Products, 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.)
Trial counsel for patent holder in Transclean, Inc. v. Bridgewood Services, Inc., 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.)
Trial Counsel for plaintiff in Ag-Chem Equipment Co. v. Ceram Traz Corp., 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.)
Trial counsel for defendant in Harmon Glass Co. v. Hawkeye Auto Glass, Inc.: 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.)
Represented defendant in Phillips Products v. R.H. Phillips Vineyard, et. al. 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.)
Media
Quoted in:
- The Minneapolis Star Tribune
- The St. Paul Pioneer Press
- Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
- Minnesota Business
- IP Law 360
Recognition
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2010 Edition**
- Named one of Minnesota's "Top 40 Intellectual Property Attorneys" by Law & Politics (2007-2008)**
- Named a "Super Lawyer," by Law & Politics (2004, 2006-2009)**
Memberships
Minnesota State Bar Association Court Rules and Administration Committee, Co-Chair
Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association Trademark and Unfair Competition Law Committee, Current Chair
American Arbitration Association Commercial Disputes Panel, Member
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Center For Dispute Resolution, Member
Hennepin County Bar Association Nominating Committee, Appointed Member
Civic Associations
- Tonka United Soccer Association, Coach (2002-present)
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- 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 Law School, J.D., cum laude (1991)
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.S. (1988)
Selected Speeches
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The Use of Arbitration Provisions in Licensing Agreements - One Size May Not Fit All
LES Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(May 7, 2009)
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Open Source Code: Recent Developments and Practical Implications
2008 Midwest Computer Law Institute
(October 24, 2008)
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The Use of Arbitration Provisions in Licensing Agreements - One Size May Not Fit All
Licensing Executives Society, Minneapolis, Minnesota
(September 16, 2008)
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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)
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Alternative Dispute Resolution in Intellectual Property Disputes
Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Chapter, Minneapolis, Minnesota
(March 29, 2007)
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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)