Kilpatrick Townsend

Firm overview:

Kilpatrick was the first US firm to base an office in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, home to around 2,000 technology companies and 100,000 employees. The team in Shanghai focuses primarily on the IP and corporate needs of China-based companies and US firms with an interest in the region. Kilpatrick also has an office in Beijing, where its IP Agency provides trademark-related services.

Kilpatrick attorneys’ “legal, educational, cultural, and linguistic diversity” allows them to assist clients in both the planning and implementation of IP rights. The firm’s litigators have been noted for some wins in major patent lawsuits and have had cases reported in industry publications.

Team overview:

Charles Gray is managing partner of the Shanghai office and focuses his practice on patent prosecution of US and international patent applications. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and has significant experience in providing patent invalidity and infringement analysis, and drafting written opinions.

Key matters:

• Charles Gray and his team provide patent portfolio management and development in the appliance technology area for Datang Telecom Group. Datang is a Chinese telecommunications equipment group headquartered in Beijing. Kilpatrick has implemented systems and processes to help streamline Datang’s patent practice and improve overall quality.
• Gray and his team provide patent portfolio management and development for Tianma Microelectronics. Tianma specialises in providing display solutions and efficient support services worldwide. Tianma was established in 1983 and publicly listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZ. 000050) in 1995. Kilpatrick has implemented systems and processes to help streamline Tianma’s patent practice and improve overall quality.
• Gray and his team provides patent portfolio management and development for Midea Group. The group is a Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer, headquartered in Beijiao, Shunde, Foshan and Guangdong and is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Midea’s product portfolio includes innovative home appliance technology that has helped spring the group onto the world market. When Kilpatrick started working with Midea, it had fewer than 20 issued US patents. That number has grown to well over 100. Kilpatrick is helping Midea to position as an innovator in the appliance space.

Clients:

Datang Telecom Group, Midea Group, Tianma Microelectronics