Lant v Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 1954 (IPEC) (31 July 2025)

Lant v Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 1954 (IPEC) (31 July 2025)

Mr Lant is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 2, Goat Head Lucifer, Sigil of Baphomet, and Legions Logo, as these works possess sufficient originality and his evidence was preferred. Mr Bray is the author and owner of Venom Logo 1. Neither party proved authorship of the At War with Satan design. Mr Bray failed to prove ownership of copyright in the two photographs; evidence indicated Neat Records likely commissioned them. Infringement follows ownership findings; no acts were found to be flagrant.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1954 (IPEC)
Parties
Claimant: Conrad Lant; First Defendant: Plastic Head Music Distribution Limited; Second Defendant: Anthony Bray; Third Party: Razmataz. Com Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Copyright Infringement and Ownership Dispute / Liability Trial Judgment
Outcome
Claim and counterclaim both succeed in part and fail in part.
Legal Topics
Copyright Subsistence, Copyright Ownership, Authorship of Artistic Works, Derivative Works, Infringement, Originality, Commissioned Works
Intellectual Property Copyright Law Copyright Subsistence Copyright Ownership Authorship of Artistic Works Derivative Works Infringement Originality +1 more

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Parties

Conrad Lant

Claimant

Plastic Head Music Distribution Limited

First Defendant

Anthony Bray

Second Defendant

Razmataz. Com Limited

Third Party

Procedural Posture

Copyright Infringement and Ownership Dispute / Liability Trial Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Who is the author and owner of copyright in six Venom-related artworks?
  2. 2 Do the disputed works possess sufficient originality for copyright protection?
  3. 3 Who owns copyright in two photographs used on Venom releases?

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Lant is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 2, Goat Head Lucifer, Sigil of Baphomet, and Legions Logo, as these works possess sufficient originality and his evidence was preferred. Mr Bray is the author and owner of Venom Logo 1. Neither party proved authorship of the At War with Satan design. Mr Bray failed to prove ownership of copyright in the two photographs; evidence indicated Neat Records likely commissioned them. Infringement follows ownership findings; no acts were found to be flagrant.

Court Disposition

Claim and counterclaim both succeed in part and fail in part.

Orders

  • Declaration that Mr Lant owns copyright in Venom Logo 2, Goat Head Lucifer, Sigil of Baphomet, and Legions Logo.
  • Declaration that Mr Bray owns copyright in Venom Logo 1.