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Jimi Hendrix – the famous musician – and the other members of The Jimi Hendrix Experience band just wanted to entertain. Little did they know that their last ever UK concert in 1969 would become such...
It’s game over at level 1 for Nintendo DS mod chip importer – Nintendo v Playables and Chan, High Court
Nintendo has obtained summary judgment in its claim against the importer of a mod chip product that circumvented Nintendo’s technological copy-protection measures intended to stop unlawful copies of...
One vacuum fails to sweep up as another’s less beautiful design gets clean bill of health – Dyson v Vax, High Court
Dyson had a registered design for well-known dual cyclone vacuum cleaner. They were concerned by the appearance on the market of a multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner called MACH ZEN, which was marketed...
Parallel importer not brand owner has burden of proving that goods were on the market with brand owner’s consent – Honda v David Silver Spares, High Court
DSS was the leading supplier of spare parts for Honda motorbikes. Honda alleged that DSS was infringing its registered trade marks by importing and supplying Honda branded parts which had not been put...
High Court asks European Court to answer whether copying software programming language, interfaces and functionality infringes copyright – SAS v WPL, High Court
SAS had developed analytical software called the SAS System over a number of years and was a giant in the market for software that enabled users to carry out analysis of data. One key element was its own...
High Court does not disturb spirit of trade mark co-existence agreement made way back in time – Omega v Omega, High Court
Omega SA was a Swiss company that manufactured watches for over 150 years. Omega Engineering Inc was an American company that has manufactured products for measurement of temperature and humidity for about...
Comedians don’t see the funny side as they claim copyright infringement for stealing their gags
Keith Chegwin has been accused of stealing another comedian’s gags – a charge he strenuously denies. But are jokes copyrightable? In theory, yes. But copyright only protects the expression of an idea....
Don’t be so casual with use of easy name and up your game, Stelios tells easyJet
Stelios Haji-Ioannou – the founder of easyJet - has told the airline that it must improve its performance if it wants to continue using the ‘easy’ name. Although he was the founder, his family are...
ISPs seek judicial ruling over legality of Digital Economy Act
BT and Talk Talk – the Internet service providers – have asked the High Court to provide a ruling as to whether the Digital Economy Act is unlawful. They complain that the Act was scrambled through...
Alleged file-sharers face crackdown from Ministry of Sound
The Ministry of Sound has sent 2,000 letters out to people who it alleges have unlawfully infringed its copyright by downloading or uploading its tracks without permission. The letters ask for compensation...