Conrad Lant v Plastic Head Music Distribution Limited & Anor

Conrad Lant v Plastic Head Music Distribution Limited & Anor

Mr Lant is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 2, Goat Head Lucifer, Sigil of Baphomet, and Legions Logo. Mr Bray is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 1. Neither party proved authorship or ownership of the At War with Satan design or the two photographs. The works in issue possess sufficient originality for copyright protection. Unauthorized use by either party constitutes infringement, but none of the infringements were committed flagrantly.

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
08 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Intellectual Property Copyright Claim and Counterclaim / Judgment on Liability Only
Outcome
Claim and counterclaim partially upheld and partially dismissed; findings on liability only.
Legal Topics
Copyright Subsistence, Copyright Ownership, Authorship, Infringement, Originality, Commissioned Works
Intellectual Property Copyright Copyright Subsistence Copyright Ownership Authorship Infringement Originality Commissioned Works

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 10 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Conrad Lant

Claimant

Plastic Head Music Distribution Limited

First Defendant

Anthony Bray

Second Defendant

Razmataz. Com Limited

Third Party

Procedural Posture

Intellectual Property Copyright Claim and Counterclaim / Judgment on Liability Only

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Who is the author and owner of copyright in various Venom artworks and photographs?
  2. 2 Do the disputed works possess sufficient originality for copyright protection?
  3. 3 Were acts of infringement committed by either party?

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Lant is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 2, Goat Head Lucifer, Sigil of Baphomet, and Legions Logo. Mr Bray is the author and owner of copyright in Venom Logo 1. Neither party proved authorship or ownership of the At War with Satan design or the two photographs. The works in issue possess sufficient originality for copyright protection. Unauthorized use by either party constitutes infringement, but none of the infringements were committed flagrantly.

Court Disposition

Claim and counterclaim partially upheld and partially dismissed; findings on liability only.

Orders

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