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Eric R. Chad

Partner

EChad@MerchantGould.com
D 612.336.4742

Assistant

Carol Hough

CHough@MerchantGould.com
D 612.371.5257
Eric R. Chad photo

As an attorney who practices in all areas of intellectual property litigation, as well as data privacy and security, Eric prides himself on keeping thieves, trolls, hackers, and the government off his clients’ backs. In every matter, Eric makes sure he understands his client’s objectives and takes all relevant factors into account when offering advice, including legal implications, business impact, and budgetary restrictions.

Eric understands that, when a client calls him, the top priority is a pragmatic and affordable solution to that client’s legal issues. Rather than dive down a rabbit hole of legal minutiae, Eric gets to work collaborating with his client to resolve any issues efficiently and quickly.

Defended a large software and computer systems company in patent litigation against a competitor. The technology at issue involved procurement software used by numerous large companies and healthcare facilities. The case resulted in a verdict that the majority of the client’s accused products did not infringe the asserted patents.

Represented a multinational cosmetics company in trademark litigation against a beauty salon. The case resulted in efficient resolution of the matter on term...

  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law Certificate Program, 2018,

    summa cum laude

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2008,

    Lead Managing Editor, Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology

  • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, B.S. Biology, 2005
  • Minnesota State Bar, 2008
  • U.S Court of Appeals - Federal Circuit, 2018
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2010
  • U.S. District Court - District of Minnesota, 2008
  • U.S. District Court - Western District of Wisconsin, 2008

International Association of Privacy Professional (iapp)
American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association

Selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyer’s Rising Star, 2014-2020

Trending Law, Navigating Intellectual Property: Securing Software Patents, Twin Cities Business Magazine, September 2019

On the Cutting Edge: Updates on Patent Law, Data Privacy, and E-Commerce CLE (July 11, 2019)

Hot Topics, Trends, & Updates: Cybersecurity, Patent Litigation Decisions, and the Implications CLE (July 11, 2018)

Ethics & Elimination of Bias for IP Lawyers Series – Part II CLE, (June 14, 2018)

The death of patent reform? Why Leahy’s legislation matters, Lexology, July 9, 2014

Akamai Technologies, Inc. v. Limelight Networks, Inc.: Induced Infringement Does Not Require A Direct Infringer, September 2012

To Mark or Not To Mark? Forest Group, Inc. v. Bon Tool Co. Changes the Game, Intellectual Property Today, April 2010, with Tom Leach

How to Try a Patent Case on a Budget…and Win, IP Law 360, April 23, 2009, with Rachel K. Zimmerman

How to Try a Patent Case on a Budget…and Win, Minnesota Lawyer, March 9, 2009, with Rachel K. Zimmerman

RIAA Tempers Tactics, National Law Journal, January, 19 2009, with William D. Schultz

Notes & Trends: Intellectual Property Law, Bench & Bar of Minnesota, September 2009, October 2008, and October 2007, with Anthony R. Zeuli

Intellectual Property Counseling and Litigation: Ch. 75, Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Immunity in Intellectual Property, 2007 update with Ernest W. Grumbles III, with Matthew Bender, 2007

Certified Information Privacy Professional – U.S. Private-Sector (CIPP/US) by International Association of Privacy Professionals (iapp)