Education
Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude
University of California, Berkeley, B.A., Philosophy and Literature
Experience
A. Eric Bjorgum has over 20 years of experience working in intellectual property law and commercial disputes, including a two year term working closely with a federal judge as a law clerk. He has litigated extensively in both state and federal court, primarily in business litigation and in all areas of intellectual property. He has also counseled clients in obtaining copyrights, patents, trademarks and trade secrets in order to secure their rights, avoid litigation and develop streams of revenue.
Eric began his legal career in 1996, working for Hon. David W. Hagen of the United States District Court in Reno, Nevada.
Eric then moved to Los Angeles and began working at the litigation boutique Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP. During Eric’s years there, the firm grew from a well-respected trial firm of approximately 50 attorneys to a powerhouse of over 250 lawyers spread through six offices.
Quinn Emanuel’s dynamic environment allowed Eric to gain litigation experience diverse areas such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, qui tam and RICO. In both federal and state courts, he represented clients of all types, including large organizations such as Mattel, Directv,The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Recording Academy. He is also very familiar with litigation privilege and the “anti-SLAPP” statutes passed by dozens of states.
Eric moved on to the Pasadena intellectual property boutique Sheldon Mak Rose & Anderson PC. There, he honed his IP transactional skills, worked on several patent lawsuits, was co-lead trial counsel on a trademark case with top plaintiff’s attorney Brian Panish, and began to develop a specialty in public art cases involving the Visual Artists Rights Act.
It was at Sheldon Mak that Eric met Marc Karish, and they decided to start Karish & Bjorgum. Since starting Karish & Bjorgum, the firm has enjoyed several victories for its clients. Mr. Bjorgum lives in Sierra Madre, California with his wife and two children. He has a personal interest in music and multimedia technology and has a small recording studio in his home. Eric is a member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association (serving on the Music Committee for 2014 – 2015) and a Member of Pasadena Optimist Club. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles. Eric was also named a Southern California Super Lawyer in the field of Intellectual Property Litigation by the publishers of Law & Politics Magazine.
Notable Matters
* Successful lead trial counsel for plaintiff/author in copyright case against self-help author.
* Co-lead counsel (with Brian Panish) for plaintiff in trademark reverse confusion case that settled at trial.
* Represented multi-platinum rock band in dispute over band name; rights in name assigned to Karish & Bjorgum clients.
* Obtained summary judgment for leading online street wear retailer in commercial dispute.
* Obtained dismissal on eve of trial in sampling case for noted electronic dance music group; dismissal upheld following argument before 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
* Prevailed on numerous anti-SLAPP and related motions in such diverse areas as patent infringement and criminal restitution.
* Represented famed muralist Kent Twitchell in landmark case under Visual Artists Rights Act, resulting in $1.1 million settlement.
* Represented major amusement park in patent infringement case involving ride system.
* Has represented several high tech and Fortune 500 companies in anti-piracy campaigns.
* Has prosecuted dozens of trademarks to registration.
* Has assisted many start ups with charting their course for intellectual property protection and monetization.
* Started clothing and print sale company with noted music photographer.
Publications
You Can Sue For That?, The Advocate (Jan. 2009).
Twitchell Legal Victory Spotlights Artists’ Rights, Coagula Art Journal (Sept. 2008)
Trying a Reverse Confusion Case, Forum (July/August 2008)
VARA and CAPA: Lessons from the Twitchell Case, Intellectual Property Today (Sept. 2008) (with Bill Brutocao)
Pursuing Truth in the Adversary System: An Ideal Criterion, Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics (1996)