Email Chris Civil
Overview
Chris provides advice and guidance in the areas of intellectual property, trademark clearance, trademark and copyright prosecution, trademark litigation, sweepstakes, contests, advertising and marketing.
Chris received his law degree from Berkeley Law, where he was an editor of the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Following law school Chris completed a fellowship program with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, where he worked on litigation matters supporting start-up companies and innovation. Prior to joining Cobalt, Chris was a Managing Associate at a large Bay Area law firm where he worked on trademark, copyright and trade secret matters.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys exploring hiking trails around the Bay Area, playing the drums, baseball, and finding new ways to entertain his two cats.
Areas of Speciality
Intellectual Property
Chris has extensive experience in counseling clients on trademark clearance and prosecution. Chris has successfully prosecuted and defended hundreds of trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office across a wide spectrum of industries and business sectors, including automation and AI software, blockchain, gaming, entertainment, clothing, food and beverage, personal and home goods. Chris has had success in obtaining trademark registrations for clients under wide range of difficult circumstances, from overcoming refusals based on a likelihood of confusion or descriptiveness to drafting the first description of services for a trademark application involving a marketplace for NFTs in the U.S. and obtaining registrations for sound and trade dress marks.
Trademark and Domain Name Enforcement
Chris has successfully represented dozens of clients before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, and has secured the quick and successful transfer of dozens of infringing domain names for clients through the UDRP process. Chris also has experience in litigating trademark and trade secret matters in both federal and state courts.
Sweepstakes and Contests
Chris provides clients with advice and guidance on creating and conducting sweepstakes, contests, giveaways, and marketing promotions.
Advertising and Marketing
Chris advises client on various advertising and marketing campaigns, including telemarketing, subscription marketing, and green, environmental, and Made in USA claims.
Bar Admissions
- California
Education
- University of California, Davis, B.A. (Political Science), 2010
- Berkeley Law, J.D., 2013
Our People
Tsan Abrahamson | Marc Roth | Michael Traynor | Angelique Tremble | Chris Civil | Matthew Passmore | Norma Black | Noemi Zieman