Although victorious, Bugliosi endured years of litigation. The court battle did not end until four years after the film's release and 11 years after the crimes. Unfortunately, being sued is an occupational hazard of successful writers. It is expensive and time consuming. By clearly demonstrating that your work is factual, you may win a lawsuit on a pretrial motion and deter others from suing.
Invasion of privacy provides a way for creative lawyers to circumvent restrictions on libel claims.
In addition to the libel charge against him, Bugliosi was accused of invasion of privacy. All writers must be aware of this tort. Even if your writing is accurate, you can be held for violating someone's privacy. By the time the film Helter Skelter was released, seven years had passed since the crimes. Lawyers for the plaintiff argued that when so much time has elapsed there is no legitimate public interest in using the real names of minor people and no informational value to doing so.