Helen O. Ogunyanwo
Overview
Clients go to Helen for practical, creative, and individualized approaches in navigating advertising, unfair competition, brand disparagement, reputation, and intellectual property matters. Helen has extensive litigation experience in defending companies on protecting their technology and brands from their competitors, regulators, state attorneys, and private consumer class action claimants.
Career & Education
- Towson University, B.S., business administration, 2012
- Howard University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2017
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
Helen's Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.28.25
9th Circuit Marches Forward to the Future Finding Digital Assets Are Protected Under Trademark Law
The Ninth Circuit ruled that NFTs are not just digital collectibles but legally recognized goods under the Lanham Act. Yuga Labs, Inc. v. Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen, Case No. 24-879 (9th Cir. July 23, 2025). NFTs are intangible, fully virtual, authenticating software code that is associated with separate digital or physical content. Although the Ninth Circuit found that there were genuine issues of material fact that precluded summary judgment on the issue of likelihood of confusion, the court recognized that NFTs are commercial products with tangible value subject to trademark protection. This means that NFT creators and projects can now claim trademark rights in their collections’ names, logos, and associated marks.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 08.14.25
Changes in Sunscreen Regulation & Litigation are Heating Up: Updates from Congress to the Courts
Client Alert | 12 min read | 03.19.25
Right To Repair – A Growing Trend for States Creating Compliance Challenges for Manufacturers
Publication | 02.04.25
Representative Matters
Commercial Litigation
- Successfully defended a multinational pharmaceutical and biotech company against a third-party subpoena.
- Successfully defended a global data technology corporation in arbitration and preliminary injunction proceedings involving a breach of contract claim.
- Represented health plans in ongoing litigation and arbitration regarding reimbursement disputes.
- Defended a software company in litigation and counseling regarding potential theft of trade secrets, copyright violations, and violations of non-competes agreements.
Advertising Related Litigation
- Successfully represented a large pharmaceutical company in a false advertising and unfair competition case.
- Initiated and defended companies on advertising challenges before the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau.
- Defended clients in the food and beverage industry against class actions lawsuits regarding false advertising and unfair competition claims in New York and Washington D.C.
- Represented beer brewing company in a highly publicized false advertising dispute stemming from Super Bowl ads.
- Represented and successfully defended multinational companies regarding advertising claims brought by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”).
- Resolved an FTC investigation against a large retailer regarding bamboo and anti-microbial claims.
- Represented a pharmaceutical company in a false advertising federal case regarding to superiority claims.
Counseling Work
- Advised clients on promotional and marketing activities, including advertising claims, product claims and qualifications, and social media campaigns.
- Advised manufactures in various industries on various states’ Right-to-Repair Act.
- Counseled companies in various industries on state and federal warranty laws and requirements.
- Advised clients on their social media campaigns on the FTC’s Endorsement Guidelines.
- Counseled clients on environmental, social and corporate governance (“ESG”) issues, the FTC Green Guides, and greenwashing.
- Advised clients throughout various industries on gift card redemption and payment devices requirements.
- Advised and negotiated on behalf of a major telecommunication company on sponsorship agreements.
Helen's Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.28.25
9th Circuit Marches Forward to the Future Finding Digital Assets Are Protected Under Trademark Law
The Ninth Circuit ruled that NFTs are not just digital collectibles but legally recognized goods under the Lanham Act. Yuga Labs, Inc. v. Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen, Case No. 24-879 (9th Cir. July 23, 2025). NFTs are intangible, fully virtual, authenticating software code that is associated with separate digital or physical content. Although the Ninth Circuit found that there were genuine issues of material fact that precluded summary judgment on the issue of likelihood of confusion, the court recognized that NFTs are commercial products with tangible value subject to trademark protection. This means that NFT creators and projects can now claim trademark rights in their collections’ names, logos, and associated marks.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 08.14.25
Changes in Sunscreen Regulation & Litigation are Heating Up: Updates from Congress to the Courts
Client Alert | 12 min read | 03.19.25
Right To Repair – A Growing Trend for States Creating Compliance Challenges for Manufacturers
Publication | 02.04.25
Insights
ESG in the Metaverse: An Opportunity to Rethink Sustainability
|05.24.23
Retail in the Metaverse and Beyond
Let’s Talk All Things MoCRA – Is Your Company Prepared?
|06.11.24
MoCRA-Required Recordkeeping, Reporting Now ‘Fair Game’ For Litigants – Crowell & Moring
|08.24.23
HBW Insight
- |
06.28.21
WJZ CBS Baltimore
PFAS Litigation: Another Headache for the Beauty Industry
|02.27.24
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
What’s In and What’s Out? Cosmetic Companies Face Ingredient Compliance Conundrum
|01.17.24
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (“MoCRA”) White Paper
|08.15.23
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
NAD Makes Clear that “Woke Washing” is False Advertising
|03.07.22
Crowell & Moring’s Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
- |
03.22.21
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Pot Got Your Tongue? Company Alleges Former COO Disclosed Trade Secrets to Competitors
|09.01.20
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Misappropriation Claims Brought Over Tax Trade Secrets
|06.25.20
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Is the Platform You’re Using a Potential Threat to Protecting Your Trade Secret?
|04.09.20
Crowell & Moring’s Trade Secrets Trends
Dueling Claims: Trade Secret Theft or Antitrust Threat?
|11.14.19
Crowell & Moring's Trade Secrets Trends
Will the FTC Crack Down on Online Influencers?
|11.06.19
Crowell & Moring's Retail & Consumer Products Law Observer
Helen's Insights
Client Alert | 4 min read | 08.28.25
9th Circuit Marches Forward to the Future Finding Digital Assets Are Protected Under Trademark Law
The Ninth Circuit ruled that NFTs are not just digital collectibles but legally recognized goods under the Lanham Act. Yuga Labs, Inc. v. Ryder Ripps and Jeremy Cahen, Case No. 24-879 (9th Cir. July 23, 2025). NFTs are intangible, fully virtual, authenticating software code that is associated with separate digital or physical content. Although the Ninth Circuit found that there were genuine issues of material fact that precluded summary judgment on the issue of likelihood of confusion, the court recognized that NFTs are commercial products with tangible value subject to trademark protection. This means that NFT creators and projects can now claim trademark rights in their collections’ names, logos, and associated marks.
Client Alert | 6 min read | 08.14.25
Changes in Sunscreen Regulation & Litigation are Heating Up: Updates from Congress to the Courts
Client Alert | 12 min read | 03.19.25
Right To Repair – A Growing Trend for States Creating Compliance Challenges for Manufacturers
Publication | 02.04.25
