Chris Durkee focuses his practice on patent prosecution and litigation. Mr. Durkee has prepared and prosecuted patent applications and draft opinions on patentability, validity and infringement issues. He has also counseled and assisted clients with patent application and prosecution matters, including foreign and Patent Cooperation Treaty filings. Mr. Durkee has prosecuted patents in a wide range of technical fields, including the chemical, business method and mechanical arts.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Durkee was an officer in the United States Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Program. After completing a rigorous graduate-level training program, he served with distinction aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt. He also earned the distinguished "Navy Nuclear Engineer" qualification, successfully completing an intensive examination process, demonstrating a detailed understanding of nuclear reactor theory, electrical and mechanical systems, chemistry and radiological controls, and reactor plant operations.
Mr. Durkee also served as a Fleet Naval Exercise Coordinator on the staff of the Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces, Europe in London, England. Throughout his naval career, Mr. Durkee received several individual and organizational decorations for outstanding service.
Professional & Community Activities
American Chemical Society, Member
Industries
Chemical; Health & Life Sciences; Paper & Packaging; Water & Wastewater; Manufacturing
Experience
Biopolymer Engineering Inc. v. Immunocorp, The firm served as lead counsel for Biotec Pharmacon, ASA, a Norwegian pharmaceutical company, in patent infringement litigation initiated by patent owner Biothera, a Minnesota corporation, in the District of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The 14 patents involved in the litigation relate to, among other things, beta glucan compositions for immunotherapy. The District Court granted summary judgment of non-infringement as to 12 of the 14 patents, and the case subsequently settled.
Biopolymer Eng'g, Inc. v. Immunocorp, No. 05-00536 (D. Minn. filed Mar. 14, 2005).
Patent prosecution and portfolio management for Emory University, Represent Emory University in connection with the provision of patent prosecution and portfolio management services in the areas of psychiatry, physiology, pulmonary medicine, biology and chemistry, among others. The firm has worked closely with the key faculty to form strategies that protect their innovations, control costs, and achieve strategic goals. The firm has also provided guidance relative to protection of crucial elements of new innovations.
Grandparent adoption, Represents caregivers seeking to adopt children. One of the firm's signature pro bono programs is the Grandparent Adoption Program. Dozens of lawyers have been trained to represent grandparents and other relative caregivers who step up to raise young children in their extended family when the children's parents are unable or unwilling to do so. Working in partnership with local legal aid programs, lawyers accept referrals of eligible families, and prepare and file the required documents to effect the adoption. Hundreds of children's lives have been stabilized as a result of the firm's involvement.
Patent prosecution and counseling for U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD), Represent the U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD), which is responsible for the military and homeland security functions of the United Kingdom, and have prosecuted patent applications for aerospace, defense, biotechnology and chemical technologies. Also represents the technology transfer company affiliated with the MOD whose mission is to commercialize technologies having non-military applications.
Patent counseling for Clean Control Corporation, Performed patent work for Clean Control Corporation, an environmentally friendly cleaning solutions company.
Corporate and intellectual property counseling for Global Green Power Inc., Represent Global Green Power, Inc. in corporate and intellectual property matters relating to the production of electricity generators powered by alternative energy sources.
*Experience gained by attorney prior to joining Kilpatrick Townsend
Publications
29 September 2011, Intellectual Property Innovations Class: America Invents Act, Podcasts
01 March 2011, Federal Circuit Rejects Heightened Burden for Proving Infringement by Doctrine of Equivalents, Legal Alerts
07 April 2010, Proposed change would extend pendency of provisional applications to two years, Legal Alerts
05 April 2010, USPTO is listening and taking action: Proposed rule change would effectively provide for 24-month pendency of provisional applications, Legal Alerts
11 January 2010, Federal Circuit Issues Important Patent Term Adjustment Ruling, Legal Alerts
01 January 2009, Inventorship: Navigating the Muddy Waters of Inventorship Determination and Correction
Source: Intellectual Property Desk Reference, Other Publications
01 January 2009, Choosing Between Trade Secret and Patent Protection
Source: Intellectual Property Desk Reference, Other Publications
27 March 2008, Intellectual Property Innovations Class: Proposed IDS Rule Changes and Continuation Rules Update, Podcasts
News
06 March 2008, IP Innovations Class: Proposed IDS Rule Changes and Continuation Rules Update, Events