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

Weightmans—Jason Slatcher

Weightmans—Jason Slatcher

Weightmans appoint new Chief Technology Officer

Mishcon de Reya—trainees

Mishcon de Reya—trainees

Mishcon de Reya announces trainee retention rate of 86%

Sackers—Charlotte Adams & Fraser Sutton

Sackers—Charlotte Adams & Fraser Sutton

Sackers welcomes two new Graduate Solicitor Apprentices

NEWS
LexisNexis is delighted to announce the launch of the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2027, celebrating outstanding achievement, innovation and impact across the legal profession
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is to take further enforcement action against the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), setting additional performance targets and ‘intensifying’ its oversight, it has said
Regulators missed several opportunities to intervene in PM Law Group before it collapsed, an independent review by City firm Jenner & Block has found
An employer’s vicarious liability for the alleged torts of an employee cannot be transferred by TUPE, the Court of Appeal has confirmed
Tiered fees of up to £1,500 for Legal Ombudsman (LeO) cases could leave firms with little option but to pay out, lawyers have warned
back-to-top-scroll