Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Craig Steven Wright (POC Amendment)

Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Craig Steven Wright (POC Amendment)

COPA is permitted to amend its Particulars of Claim to allege forgery of up to 50 additional documents, provided each is specifically identified and particularised in accordance with fraud pleading standards. The similar fact amendment regarding alleged plagiarism is refused due to minimal probative value and risk of collateral issues.

Parties
Claimant: Crypto Open Patent Alliance; Defendant: Craig Steven Wright; Claimant: Wright International Investments Limited; Claimant: Wright International Investments UK Limited; Defendant: BTC Core; Defendant: Wladimir Jasper Van Der Laan; Defendant: Jonas Schnelli; Defendant: Pieter Wuille; Defendant: Marco Patrick Falke; Defendant: Samuel Dobson; Defendant: Michael Rohan Ford; Defendant: Cory Fields; Defendant: George Michael Dombrowski (Luke Dashjr); Defendant: Matthew Gregory Corallo; Defendant: Peter Todd; Defendant: Gregory Fulton Maxwell; Defendant: Eric Lombrozo; Defendant: John Newbery; Defendant: Peter John Bushnell; Defendant: Block, Inc.; Defendant: Spiral BTC, Inc.; Defendant: Squareup Europe Ltd; Defendant: Blockstream Corporation Inc.; Defendant: Chaincode Labs, Inc; Defendant: Coinbase Global Inc.; Defendant: CB Payments, Ltd; Defendant: Coinbase Europe Limited; Defendant: Coinbase Inc.; Defendant: Crypto Open Patent Alliance; Defendant: Squareup International Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 October 2024
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Application for Amendment of Pleadings
Outcome
Application granted in part, refused in part.
Legal Topics
Amendment of Pleadings, Forgery, Fraud, Document Authenticity, Similar Fact Evidence
Civil Procedure Intellectual Property Amendment of Pleadings Forgery Fraud Document Authenticity Similar Fact Evidence

Case Brief

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Parties

Crypto Open Patent Alliance

Claimant

Craig Steven Wright

Defendant

Wright International Investments Limited

Claimant

Wright International Investments UK Limited

Claimant

BTC Core

Defendant

Wladimir Jasper Van Der Laan

Defendant

Jonas Schnelli

Defendant

Pieter Wuille

Defendant

Marco Patrick Falke

Defendant

Samuel Dobson

Defendant

Michael Rohan Ford

Defendant

Cory Fields

Defendant

George Michael Dombrowski (Luke Dashjr)

Defendant

Matthew Gregory Corallo

Defendant

Peter Todd

Defendant

Gregory Fulton Maxwell

Defendant

Eric Lombrozo

Defendant

John Newbery

Defendant

Peter John Bushnell

Defendant

Block, Inc.

Defendant

Spiral BTC, Inc.

Defendant

Squareup Europe Ltd

Defendant

Blockstream Corporation Inc.

Defendant

Chaincode Labs, Inc

Defendant

Coinbase Global Inc.

Defendant

CB Payments, Ltd

Defendant

Coinbase Europe Limited

Defendant

Coinbase Inc.

Defendant

Crypto Open Patent Alliance

Defendant

Squareup International Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Application for Amendment of Pleadings

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether COPA may amend its Particulars of Claim to allege forgery of additional documents
  2. 2 Whether COPA may plead similar fact evidence regarding alleged plagiarism by Dr Wright

Ratio Decidendi

COPA is permitted to amend its Particulars of Claim to allege forgery of up to 50 additional documents, provided each is specifically identified and particularised in accordance with fraud pleading standards. The similar fact amendment regarding alleged plagiarism is refused due to minimal probative value and risk of collateral issues.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part, refused in part.

Orders

  • COPA granted permission to amend Particulars of Claim to allege forgery of up to 50 additional documents, with specific identification and particulars required.
  • COPA refused permission to plead similar fact evidence regarding alleged plagiarism.