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

NLJ Career Profile: Hugo Plowman, Mishcon de Reya

NLJ Career Profile: Hugo Plowman, Mishcon de Reya

From global fraud cases to fishing off-grid, Mishcon de Reya’s chair of dispute resolution Hugo Plowman discusses mentors, management switching off

Maguire Family Law—Jennifer Hudec, Ciara Florey, Alice Ferguson & Ruth Wynn

Maguire Family Law—Jennifer Hudec, Ciara Florey, Alice Ferguson & Ruth Wynn

Maguire Family Law announces partner promotion and new hires amid a record year for enquiries

Switalskis—Rebecca Parry & Hannah Gamble

Switalskis—Rebecca Parry & Hannah Gamble

Switalskis wills and probate team extends reach with two appointments

NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
back-to-top-scroll