Chris Kent’s practice focuses on patent prosecution and counseling. For clients in the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and Korea, he has managed U.S. and foreign patent portfolios, prepared and prosecuted patent applications, rendered opinions, and counseled clients in diverse technical fields, including mechanical, electrical, systems, and software-related technologies. Chris is a former Primary Examiner at the USPTO who trained patent examiners.
His diverse technical experience includes on-site power generation, engine technology, hybrid powertrains, transmissions, aircraft-related technology, industrial manufacturing, hydrocarbon production including hydraulic fracturing and subsea drilling, petrochemical processing including environmentally-friendly petroleum processing systems and methods, and refining systems and methods including advanced instrumentation and control. Chris also has experience in systems for navigation and control of unmanned vehicles such as autonomous cars and UAVs or drones, including complex sensor systems and navigation strategies, vehicle safety systems, electric vehicle battery systems, vehicle battery charging systems, hydraulic systems, tire technology, pumps and compressors, dispensers, security systems, fire suppression systems, mineral processing, fiber optic communications equipment, modular utility pole technology, construction equipment, LED lighting systems, computer architecture, and software-related technologies, such as machine learning.
Chris has prosecuted reissue and reexamination applications and conducted oral appeal hearings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent Trademark Office. He has written and lectured on legal topics relating to protection of intellectual property, and is an active member of the Atlanta IP Inn of Court.
Professional Associations
- Commonwealth of Virginia Bar
- Georgia State Bar
- Atlanta IP Inn of Court
Thought Leadership
Publications
- Co-Author, "Patent Filings Provide Clues to Future of EV Batteries," POWER Magazine, May 2023
- Author, Reducing the Scope of Patent Protection and Incentives for Innovation Through Unfair Application of Prosecution History Estoppel and the Recapture Rule. 10 Geo. Mason L. Rev. 595 (2002). This article was a finalist for the best student article in the 2002-03 year.
Speaking Engagements
- “What You Should Know About Patents and Developments in the Law”, The World of Wipes International Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 14-16, 2011
- “Proactive Patent Prosecution After Application Filing” Webinar, July 16, 2015
Prior Legal Experience
- Patent Attorney, Partner, Lee & Hayes, P.C., 2016 – 2020
- Patent Attorney, Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner, LLP, 2004 – 2016
- Primary Examiner, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 1992 – 2001
