Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Craig Steven Wright (WFO Application)
The court granted the worldwide freezing order because COPA has a very strong claim for a substantial costs order, there is overwhelming evidence of a real risk that Dr Wright will dissipate assets to frustrate enforcement, and it is just and convenient to grant the order. The court found jurisdiction exists to grant a freezing order in respect of anticipated costs, even before a final costs order is made, based on recent authorities. The risk of dissipation is supported by Dr Wright's conduct, asset transfers, and history of non-payment.
- Parties
- Claimant in IL 2021 000019 (copa Claim): Crypto Open Patent Alliance; Represented Party (by Copa): Square, Inc.; Represented Party (by Copa): Payward Ventures, Inc. (DBA Kraken); Represented Party (by Copa): Microstrategy, Inc.; Represented Party (by Copa): Coinbase, Inc.; Defendant in COPA Claim: Craig Steven Wright; Claimant in IL 2022 000069 (btc Core Claim): Dr Craig Steven Wright; Claimant in BTC Core Claim: Wright International Investments Limited; Claimant in BTC Core Claim: Wright International Investments UK Limited; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: BTC Core; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Wladimir Jasper van der Laan; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Jonas Schnelli; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Pieter Wuille; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Marco Patrick Falke; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Samuel Dobson; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Michael Rohan Ford; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Cory Fields; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: George Michael Dombrowski (a.k.a ‘Luke Dashjr’); Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Matthew Gregory Corallo; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Peter Todd; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Gregory Fulton Maxwell; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Eric Lombrozo; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: John Newbery; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Peter John Bushnell; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Block, Inc.; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Spiral BTC, Inc.; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Squareup Europe Ltd; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Blockstream Corporation Inc.; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Chaincode Labs, Inc; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Coinbase Global Inc.; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: CB Payments, Ltd; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Coinbase Europe Limited; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Coinbase Inc.; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Crypto Open Patent Alliance; Defendant in BTC Core Claim: Squareup International Limited
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Judgment Date
- 04 February 2024
- Procedural Posture
- Civil (intellectual Property/costs/freezing Order) / Post Trial, Pre Final Judgment, Application for Worldwide Freezing Order
- Outcome
- Worldwide freezing order granted against Dr Craig Wright in the sum of £6 million.
- Legal Topics
- Freezing Injunctions, Costs Orders, Asset Dissipation, Jurisdiction for Freezing Orders, Cross Undertaking in Damages
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
More case intelligence is available
Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.
Parties
Crypto Open Patent Alliance
Claimant in IL 2021 000019 (copa Claim)
Square, Inc.
Represented Party (by Copa)
Payward Ventures, Inc. (DBA Kraken)
Represented Party (by Copa)
Microstrategy, Inc.
Represented Party (by Copa)
Coinbase, Inc.
Represented Party (by Copa)
Craig Steven Wright
Defendant in COPA Claim
Dr Craig Steven Wright
Claimant in IL 2022 000069 (btc Core Claim)
Wright International Investments Limited
Claimant in BTC Core Claim
Wright International Investments UK Limited
Claimant in BTC Core Claim
BTC Core
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Wladimir Jasper van der Laan
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Jonas Schnelli
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Pieter Wuille
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Marco Patrick Falke
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Samuel Dobson
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Michael Rohan Ford
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Cory Fields
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
George Michael Dombrowski (a.k.a ‘Luke Dashjr’)
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Matthew Gregory Corallo
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Peter Todd
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Gregory Fulton Maxwell
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Eric Lombrozo
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
John Newbery
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Peter John Bushnell
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Block, Inc.
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Spiral BTC, Inc.
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Squareup Europe Ltd
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Blockstream Corporation Inc.
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Chaincode Labs, Inc
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Coinbase Global Inc.
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
CB Payments, Ltd
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Coinbase Europe Limited
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Coinbase Inc.
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Crypto Open Patent Alliance
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Squareup International Limited
Defendant in BTC Core Claim
Procedural Posture
Civil (intellectual Property/costs/freezing Order) / Post Trial, Pre Final Judgment, Application for Worldwide Freezing Order
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the court should grant a worldwide freezing order (WFO) against Dr Craig Wright for anticipated costs liability
- 2 Whether there is jurisdiction to grant a freezing order in respect of a prospective costs order
- 3 Whether there is a real risk of dissipation of assets by Dr Wright
Ratio Decidendi
The court granted the worldwide freezing order because COPA has a very strong claim for a substantial costs order, there is overwhelming evidence of a real risk that Dr Wright will dissipate assets to frustrate enforcement, and it is just and convenient to grant the order. The court found jurisdiction exists to grant a freezing order in respect of anticipated costs, even before a final costs order is made, based on recent authorities. The risk of dissipation is supported by Dr Wright's conduct, asset transfers, and history of non-payment.
Court Disposition
Worldwide freezing order granted against Dr Craig Wright in the sum of £6 million.
Orders
- Dr Wright is restrained from disposing of or dealing with assets up to £6 million worldwide.
- Dr Wright to provide information about his assets by 4pm on 5 April 2024 and confirm by affidavit by 4pm on 10 April 2024.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
Sign in to read
Sign in to read the full judgment text
Sign in to read the full judgment text. Downloads and additional research tools may depend on your plan.
Sign in to read the full judgment