Robert J. Roby
J.D., B.S.M.E., Registered Patent Attorney
Robert J. Roby has a broad ranging practice and has represented start-up companies as well as well-established multi-national companies. Robb has significant experience advising clients in all aspects of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, domain names, copyrights, trade secrets, rights of publicity, and false advertising. He frequently advises clients regarding strategically structuring their intellectual property estates and works to create an integrated and balanced portfolio that effectively combines the overlapping protections of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
Robb frequently advises clients regarding offensive and defensive competitive strategies, prelitigation strategies, infringement studies, invalidity and noninfringement opinions, trademark selection and searches, monitoring and enforcement of patent and trademark rights, strategic transactions and complex patent and trademark prosecution. He assists clients with implementing programs to identify, evaluate and protect all forms of intellectual property. He frequently prepares agreements on behalf of clients and advises clients regarding contractual obligations.
With a degree and experience in mechanical engineering, Robb represents clients across a diverse range of technologies. Robb advises beauty, luxury goods, fashion, and apparel labels as well as individual fashion designers regarding trademarks, copyrights, design rights, and patents. Robb's medical device experience includes advising early-stage companies, such as Spiration, Inc. (acquired by Olympus Medical Systems Corporation) and EndiCOR Medical, Inc. (acquired by ev3 Inc.), as well as more established companies, such as Pro-Dex, Inc., and multi-national corporations, including Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited. He also has an extensive background in aerospace, automotive and power sport technologies. Handling market clearance and protection of aircraft hardware, including water system and door latching components as well as fasteners used in the construction of aircraft, he has represented suppliers to the aircraft industry. In the automotive space, he has represented original equipment manufacturers as well as aftermarket and component level manufacturing entities.
Areas of practice
Aerospace & Space Technology, Automation & Robotics, Automotive, Transportation & Power Sports, Clean Technology, Construction & Home Improvement, Fashion & Beauty, Media & Entertainment, Medical Devices & Procedures, Sporting Goods & Recreation
Education
New York University (NYU), Ohio University (Mechanical Engineering), Tau Beta Pi – Engineering Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society – National Student Representative, Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society, summa cum laude
Admitted
State Bar of California, District of Columbia Bar, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Recognition
Named to IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists (2023) which "identifies the individuals who are leading the way in the development and implementation of strategies that maximize the value of IP portfolios"
Recognized as a Patent and Trademark Star in Managing IP's "IP Stars" Guide for his outstanding intellectual property legal work from 2013 to 2023.
Articles
Author, "Companies Should Not Fake It Until They Make It," New York Law Journal (August 27, 2023)
Author, "Intellectual Property in Virtual Worlds," New York Law Journal (March 27, 2023)
Author, "Prioritized Examination - Patently Clear?," Medical Plastics News North America (Oct/Nov/Dec 2021)
Author, "Environmental Advertising for Your Brand - Three Things You Need to Know," The New York Law Journal (August 2021)
Podcast: Knobbe Martens Attorneys Discuss Counterfeiting and IP Theft, Footwear Insight Extra (February 2021)
Author, "The Evolution Begins In Six Circuits: Disgorgement Without Willfulness," The New York Law Journal (August 2020)
Co-author, Social Media: The New Storefront for Fashion, The New York Law Journal (August 2017)
Teaming Up to Solidify Client Relationships, New York Law Journal's Law Firm Management Special Report, May 2017.
Sonos Forward-Publishes Patents: Strategic Upside, Limited Downside, JD Supra Perspectives, March 2014.
Co-author, Protect Your Business by Protecting Your Intellectual Property, SEMA News, January 2010, at 110.
Knock-Offs, Counterfeits and Copies – What’s the Difference, IP Perspectives, Summer 2006 4 Tips for Dealing with Counterfeiters, IP Perspectives, Summer 2006
Counterfeits & Copies, Part 2 – The Legal Route, Modified Magazine, February 2006, at 86.
Speeches & Seminars
The Latest Tools, Tips and Tricks to Counter Counterfeits and Knock-Offs, Panelist at 2012 SEMA Show, Las Vegas, Nevada (October 31, 2012).
How to Manage the Costs of Protecting Your Intellectual Property, Remarks at 2010 SEMA Show, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 4, 2010).
Do-It-Yourself Intellectual Property Protection, Address at 2009 SEMA Show Education Days, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 2, 2009).
Patent, Trademarks, and Copyrights: Ask the Experts, Remarks at 2009 SEMA Show Education Days, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 2, 2009).
Patent, Trademarks, and Copyrights: Ask the Experts, Remarks at 2009 SEMA Webinar (October 22, 2009).
Safeguard Your Company Against Illegal Knockoffs and Counterfeits, Remarks at 2008 SEMA Show Education Days, Las Vegas, Nevada (November 3, 2008).
Bang for the Buck: Extracting Maximum Value from Intellectual Property in an Economic Crisis, Address to Southern California Chapter of Association of Corporate Counsel, Irvine, California and Torrance, California (April 15, 2009).
Developing Strategies to Protect Your Intellectual Property, Remarks at SEMA Webinar (April 17, 2008).
Reissue and Reexamination: Post-Issuance Strategies, Address, Irvine, California (March 15, 2007).
Automotive Aftermarket Seminar, Place Roadblocks and Speedbumps in the Paths of Potential Counterfeiters and Copyists, Pomona, California (September 29, 2006)
Affiliations
The New York Intellectual Property Law Association (Member)
AIPLA
AIPPI
American Bar Association
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Association for Corporate Growth - Orange County Chapter
Licensing Executives Society (Past Orange County Chair)
Society of Automotive Engineers
Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel - Law Firm Advisory Council
The Paley Center for Media – Media Council
