header-logo header-logo

06 May 2022 / Laura Trapnell
Issue: 7977 / Categories: Features , Profession , Intellectual property
printer mail-detail

Au contraire, Rodney!

80848
Are Del Boy & Rodders heading to court? Laura Trapnell looks into an unusual claim
  • Considers a copyright and passing off action being brought against a theatrical production based on the sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

Lovely Jubbly! The nation loves Only Fools and Horses and there is quite a lot of coverage at the moment concerning the Only Fools and Horses copyright infringement and passing off action. The action is being brought by Shazam—the television production company founded by the sitcom’s late writer, John Sullivan—that is suing an immersive theatre show (Only Fools: The (Cushty) Dining Experience) based on the BBC sitcom.

Who dares, wins!

The claim focuses on the use of the Only Fools and Horses characters, together with some of their well-known phrases by the Cushty Dining Experience and alleges copyright infringement and passing off. Apart from the obvious appeal because of the much-loved subject matter, the reason this case is interesting is because it goes against the well-established interpretation of copyright and passing

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Ashurst's Chief Risk Officer joins Walkers

Excello Law—John Osborne

Excello Law—John Osborne

Northern family lawyer John Osborne joins Excello

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

Trio of promotions announced at Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors

NEWS
A sole director can conspire with their own company for the purposes of the tort of unlawful means conspiracy, the High Court has ruled in a judgment with potentially wide implications for business disputes
The Court of Appeal has reinforced that domicile depends on intention rather than residence alone, in a significant post-Brexit ruling on cross-border financial remedy claims
The Chancery Division's long history comes to an end this autumn as it is reborn as the Business and Property Division, prompting questions over whether the shake-up is really necessary
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to show that failing to disclose regulatory issues can attract harsher consequences than the original misconduct itself
Rejecting a generous settlement can prove an expensive mistake, as two recent high-profile cases demonstrate
back-to-top-scroll