1. Home
  2. People
  3. Higgins, Christopher

Christopher Higgins

Partner

Washington, D.C.

Leading patent litigators have remarked upon Chris’ ability to merge the creative with the technical. Chris is a trial lawyer with an electrical engineering degree, giving him a unique set of skills to represent clients in disputes involving complex technologies such as graphics processing, semiconductors, medical devices, LCD displays, 3D printing and 3D scanning, and data encryption. Chris leads the firm’s efforts in the 3D space.

Chris has developed a global reputation as an authoritative source on legal issues in 3D printing, and has been a featured speaker at 3D printing events around the world. His 3D printing practice includes advising startups and established 3D printing companies on all aspects of intellectual property law, cybersecurity, and technology transactions. Chris helps 3D printing clients grow their businesses and capitalize on market opportunities and represents them in court to defend or enforce IP rights. Chris' 3D printing work extends beyond the courtroom; he teaches a course at Penn State University as part of its Masters of Engineering in Additive Manufacturing and Design program.

Chris' patent litigation and IPR practice also covers a wide range of other technologies including graphics processing, digital image processing and printing, semiconductor devices and semiconductor manufacturing, data encryption, high-definition television, digital content recognition, and medical devices. Chris has also assisted clients with licensing and patent prosecution related to 3D printing, digital imaging, wireless technology, mobile communication devices, encryption, high-definition television and medical devices.

Prior to law school, Chris worked in the patent department of a medical device company and as an engineer designing electronic components for missiles, projectiles, and bombs.

    • Continuous Composites, Inc. v. MarkForged, Inc. (D. Del.). Chris was trial counsel for Continuous Composites in its win against a competitor in a patent infringement lawsuit involving 3D printing technology. Chris handled all aspects of the infringement and validity case, including direct and cross examination of expert and fact witnesses at trial. Chris also handled the closing argument. The jury awarded over $17.3 million in past damages alone, over 90% of our client's damages request. The Orrick team's victory was recognized in the American Lawyer's Litigators of the Week feature. https://www.orrick.com/en/News/2024/04/Continuous-Composites-Wins-17-Million-in-Damages-in-Patent-Infringement-Trial 
    • On behalf of Fujifilm, we won all eight IPRs filed against Papst Licensing. As part of ongoing litigation with Papst, our client joined forces with digital camera and mobile phone manufacturers to attack the validity of two patents concerning USB functionality. We took the lead on two of the eight IPRs, and were heavily involved in the other six. The PTAB ruled all instituted claims unpatentable. Moreover, since all the claims asserted against Fujifilm were ruled unpatentable on four separate, independent grounds, we have made significant headway towards defeating Papst in the remaining litigation. Fujifilm Corp. v. Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG.
    • Represented Micro-Tech Endoscopy USA in a patent infringement action brought by Boston Scientific related to endoscopic devices. Boston Scientific Corp. v. Micro-Tech Endoscopy USA Inc. (D. Del.)
    • Represented Robert Bosch in patent infringement actions brought by J.S.T Corporation in the ITC and in the Northern District of Illinois for patents related to electrical connectors used in the automotive industry. Achieved rulings of no infringement and invalidity, which was upheld by the Federal Circuit.
    • Represented Realtek Semiconductor in a patent infringement action brought by Philips in the ITC (337-TA-1224) and achieved a complete victory for Realtek.
    • Represented Hisense in a patent infringement action brought by Aegis 11 for patents related to 802.11 Wifi technology in the Northern District of Georgia.
    • Represented TCL and Coolpad in patent infringement actions brought by Fundamental Innovations in multiple jurisdictions.
    • Represented Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in a patent dispute against Globalfoundries related to semiconductor fabrication technologies (W.D. Tex. and D. Del).
    • Represented MediaTek in several litigations at the Federal Circuit and before the Patent Office in inter partes review proceedings for patents related to graphics processing technology. IPR2018-00101, 102.
    • Represented Innolux Corporation in a patent infringement action brought by Vista Peak Ventures for patents related to LCD technology. (E.D. Tex.)
    • Represented Desktop Metal in a patent infringement and trade secret action against Markforged related to 3D printing technology (D. Mass.)
    • Represented Fujifilm in a patent infringement action brought by Hologic in the ITC and in district court for patents related to digital mammography.
    • Represented Audible Magic and its 19 customers in cases brought by Blue Spike, LLC, for patents related to digital content recognition technology. Obtained summary judgment of noninfringement. Audible Magic asserted counterclaims including unjust enrichment, Lanham Act violations, and derivation. Audible Magic settled these claims prior to trial and after obtaining the summary judgment of no infringement ruling.  Blue Spike, LLC v. Audible Magic Corp., et al. (E.D. Tex.).
    • Represented Ricoh Company in a patent infringement case involving printing and scanning technology. Intellectual Ventures I LLC v. Ricoh Company, Ltd, et al., (D. Del.).
    • Represented Fujifilm in a patent infringement action brought by Princeton Digital Image Corporation related to digital imaging technology. Recently obtained summary judgment for Fujifilm resulting in dismissal of all claims, which was affirmed by the Federal Circuit. Princeton Digital Image Corp. v. Fujifilm North America Corporation (SDNY).
    • Represented NVIDIA Corporation in patent infringement cases brought against Samsung and Qualcomm involving graphics processing technology. In the Matter of Certain Consumer Electronics and Display Devices With Graphics Processing and Graphics Processing Units Therein, Inv. No. 337-TA-932 (ITC); NVIDIA Corporation v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd and Qualcomm, Inc. (D. Del.).
    • Represented Panasonic Corporation in both ITC and District Court patent infringement actions brought by Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc., over patents related to graphics processors and LCD televisions. In the Matter of Certain Consumer Electronics with Display and Processing Capabilities, Inv. No. 337-TA-884; Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc. v. Panasonic Corporation of North America, CA No. 12-211 (D. Del.).
    • Represented defendants Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic, and Thomson Video Networks in patent infringement lawsuits involving a patent related to digital image compression technology. FastVDO LLC v. Thomson Video Networks Americas LLC (D. Del.).
    • Represented respondent Panasonic Corporation in an ITC Section 337 investigation related to Blu-ray disc players. In the Matter of Certain Blu-ray Disc Players, Components Thereof and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-824.
    • Represented a manufacturer of PET bottles in a patent infringement case brought by a competitor at both the district court and Federal Circuit that resulted in a summary judgment of invalidity for failure to disclose the best mode, which was upheld on appeal at the Federal Circuit.

Insights

Events

News