Christopher T. Blackford
Partner
Chris Blackford is a registered patent attorney with more than 15 years of experience practicing all areas of patent law, with particular emphasis on litigation. He also assists with due diligence, licensing, opinion and prosecution matters. Chris represents clients across a wide range of technical subjects, including software, medical devices, cybersecurity, UAVs, smartphones, video processing, telecommunications, two-way radios, user interfaces, computer architecture, power management, semiconductors, and various Internet-related technologies.
Experience
Promptu Systems Corporation v. Comcast Corporation
Obtained a $240 million jury verdict for client Promptu in a patent infringement lawsuit against Comcast. The jury found that Comcast willfully infringed Promptu’s patents covering voice recognition technology for TV.
2:16-cv-06516, E.D. Pa., Judge Sanchez
22-1939, Fed. Cir., Judges Prost, Moore, Taranto
Synergy Drone v. SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. et al.
Represented SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. in patent case concerning remote controls for a radio-controlled aircraft.
1:17-cv-00242, W.D. Tex., Judge Yeakel
In re Certain Semiconductor Devices and Consumer Audiovisual Products Containing the Same
Represented LG Electronics in a litigation and ITC action concerning multi-standard video decoding and blending graphics images with video in television-related products.
337-TA-1047, ITC, Judge Shaw
Syneron Medical Ltd. v. Viora Ltd.
2:14-cv-00639, E.D. Tex., Judge Gilstrap
Finnegan plays key role in $2.35B technology acquisition
Assisted Arris with IP due diligence related to $2.35 billion acquisition of Google’s Motorola Home business, involving over 3,000 pending and issued patents.
Represented LG Electronics in a litigation and ITC action concerning certain media technologies in smartphones and televisions, home theater systems, Blu-ray disc players, and tablets. Following trial, all four asserted patents were found not infringed and/or invalid.
337-TA-882, ITC, Judge Shaw
Insights
Event
2024 Seoul Seminar: Patent Litigation in the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX)
April 4, 2024
Seoul
News
Award/Ranking
Finnegan Earns Top Rankings in 2026 IAM Patent 1000 Guide; Nearly 60 Attorneys Ranked
May 28, 2026
Intellectual Asset Management (IAM)Commentary
Finnegan Team Secures $240M Jury Verdict After PTAB Success
February 3, 2026
Managing Intellectual PropertyCommentary
How We Won: Promptu Counsel on Its $240M Victory Against Comcast
February 2, 2026
World Intellectual Property ReviewMedia Mention
Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs: Promptu
January 30, 2026
The AmLaw Litigation DailyProfessional Activities
- American Bar Association
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- Order of the Coif
- State Bar of Texas
Admissions
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- District of Columbia
- Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
Education
- Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law
- J.D., cum laude, 2004
- University of Texas, Dallas
- M.S., Electrical Engineering, 2001
- University of Texas, Dallas
- B.S., Electrical Engineering, 1999
Christopher's Practices
- Diligence, Licensing, and Opinions
- Due Diligence
- Licensing, Pooling, and Other Transactions
- Opinions and Counseling
- Patent Mining and Mapping
- Global IP Enforcement, Litigation, and Trials
- Federal Circuit and Supreme Court Appeals
- ITC Section 337 Investigations and Trials
- Patent Litigation and Trials
- Pretrial Strategies
- Patent Office Invalidation Proceedings
- PTAB Invalidation Proceedings: IPR and PGR
- Prosecution and Portfolio Management
- Patent Drafting and Prosecution
Christopher's Industries
- AI, Electronics, and Information Technology
- Electrical and Computer Technology
- Electronic Devices and Components
- Communications
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Consumer Goods and Services
- Consumer Products
- Hospitality, Gaming, and Leisure
- Sports, Fitness, and Outdoor Recreation
- Life Sciences
- Medical Device and Diagnostics
- Transportation and Logistics
- Aerospace, Aviation, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)