Bob Helfing heads the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group. His practice emphasizes litigation, transactional work and consultation to maximize protection of intellectual property assets. Mr. Helfing acts as lead counsel in trials and appeals, and has extensive experience drafting intellectual property licenses and transfers.
Bob Helfing heads the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group. His practice emphasizes litigation, transactional work and consultation to maximize protection of intellectual property assets. Mr. Helfing acts as lead counsel in trials and appeals, and has extensive experience drafting intellectual property licenses and transfers.
During his career, he has managed the copyright and trademark portfolios of motion picture studios and record companies, as well as cosmetic, restaurant, food product and other manufacturing and service corporations.
In addition to copyright and trademark infringement cases, Mr. Helfing has litigated numerous claims involving defamation, false advertising, invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, misappropriation of trade secrets and other forms of unfair competition.
Among his other accomplishments, Mr. Helfing recently authored the briefs and successfully argued the appeal in Metcalf v. Bochco, 294 F.3d 1069 (9th Cir. 2002), leading to a published decision which has altered the legal landscape in cases involving infringement of copyright in literary and dramatic works. That case effectively tips the scales in favor of copyright owners on the critical issue of substantial similarity. His handling of the Kids' Universe case, also the subject of a published opinion, was recognized as one of the 'Top Ten Defense Victories' of the year 2000" by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Published Cases
- Metcalf v. Bochco 294 F.3d 1069 (9th Cir. 2002);
- Kids' Universe v. In2Labs (2002) 95 Cal.App. 4th 870; and
- J.B. Aguerre, Inc. v. American Guar. & Liab. Ins. Co. (1997) 59 Cal.App. 4th 6.
Memberships & Honors
Mr. Helfing is a member of the Los Angeles Copyright Society, and the former chairman of the Copyright Subcommittee of the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of California.
Mr. Helfing was recognized for his work as lead counsel on Kid’s Universe v. In 2 Labs, and was included in the Top 10 Defense Cases in 2000 by Verdicts and Settlements, a publication of the Los Angeles Daily Journal.