Biography

Bob Helfing heads the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. His practice emphasizes copyright and trademark litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. He acts as lead counsel in high-profile cases involving the entertainment, sports, automotive, art and fashion industries, among others. He also has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting intellectual property contracts, and in litigating contested proceedings at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He has managed the copyright and trademark portfolios of major motion picture studios and record companies.

In addition to copyright and trademark infringement cases, Mr. Helfing has litigated numerous lawsuits involving patents, the right of publicity, defamation, false advertising, trade secret and other forms of unfair competition. He regularly represents companies in complex commercial litigation.

Among other accomplishments, Mr. Helfing was lead counsel in Kids’ Universe v. In2Labs, 95 Cal.App.4th 870 (2002), recognized as one of the Top 10 Defense Cases of 2000 by the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He authored the briefs and successfully argued the appeal in Metcalf v. Bochco, 294 F.3d 1069 (9th Cir. 2002), a widely cited opinion involving screenplay infringement. His other published appellate decisions include Funky Films v. Time-Warner Entertainment Co., L.P., 462 F.3d 1072 (9th Cir. 2006), E.S.S. Entertainment v. Rock Star Videos, Inc., 547 F.3d 1095 (9th Cir. 2008), and J. B. Aguerre, Inc. v. American Guarantee. & Liability Ins. Co., 59 Cal.App.4th 6 (1997).

Mr. Helfing has also handled a number of patent infringement cases in a variety of industries, including the defense of suits alleging infringement of utility patents on telephone switching technology (Northern Telecom v. Reese); eyeglass display systems (Magnivision v. Bonneau); computer audio software (Creative Technology v. Aureal),  waterbed technology (Hall v. La Brie’s Waterbed; Hall v. Pelican); skateboard wheels (Xtreme Wheelz v. Bailey); paper shredders (Buttercup Legacy v. Michilin Prosperity; Fellowes v. Michilin Prosperity); skincare products (Phytoceuticals v. SkinCeuticals); structured cabling for computers and telecommunications equipment (ICC v. Dynacom); and water extraction systems (Worldwide Water v. Liquid Air).  His involvement in lawsuits alleging design patent infringement include, jewelry mountings (Koren v. Norman Silverman); specialty lamps (Rabbit Tanaka v. Paradies); lawn ornaments (Exhart Environmental Systems, Inc. v. Toy Nature, Inc.); and protective gloves (Grandway v. Two Lumps).

Mr. Helfing’s client list includes internationally known artists, sports and automotive icons, entertainment companies and clothing manufacturers.

Publications

Mr. Helfing is a lecturer and author regarding intellectual property and insurance issues. Published articles in the intellectual property area include:

• “Intellectual Property Rights: How to Protect Your Rights and Stay Out of Trouble,” California State Bar Journal, August 2000.
• “Drama Trauma: Performers’ Rights in Copyrightable Works,” Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, 1997.
• “Dogged Pursuit: Right of Privacy Claims Against News Media,” Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, 1998.
• “Fees After Fogerty: Ninth Circuit Leaves Muddy Trail for Copyright Practitioners,” New Matter, 1997.
• “Under Coverage: Insurance For Copyright, Trademark and Patent Cases,” Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal, 1995.
• “Willful Infringement in Copyright and Trademark Cases: "To Reserve or Not To Reserve,” California Insurance Law and Regulation Reporter, 1997.