Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Dr Craig Steven Wright (Contempt - Sentencing)

Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Dr Craig Steven Wright (Contempt - Sentencing)

Dr Wright's breaches of anti-suit injunctions were deliberate, premeditated, and caused serious harm to COPA and third parties. The seriousness of the contempts, lack of remorse, and absence of mitigation justified a custodial sentence. However, given Dr Wright's absence from the jurisdiction and the court's ability to strike out the New Claim, a 12-month term of imprisonment suspended for two years was imposed, to be activated by any further breach of the order. The New Claim was struck out as an abuse of process, and indemnity costs were awarded to COPA and SquareUp.

Parties
Claimant: Crypto Open Patent Alliance; Defendant: Dr. Craig Steven Wright
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2024
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court (civil) / Sentencing Judgment After Finding of Contempt
Outcome
Dr Wright sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years; New Claim struck out as abuse of process; indemnity costs awarded to COPA and SquareUp.
Legal Topics
Anti Suit Injunctions, Breach of Court Orders, Sentencing for Contempt, Costs Orders, Abuse of Process
Civil Procedure Intellectual Property Injunctions Contempt of Court Anti Suit Injunctions Breach of Court Orders Sentencing for Contempt Costs Orders +1 more

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Parties

Crypto Open Patent Alliance

Claimant

Dr. Craig Steven Wright

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court (civil) / Sentencing Judgment After Finding of Contempt

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the appropriate sentence for Dr Wright's contempt of court by breaching anti-suit injunctions?
  2. 2 Should the New Claim be struck out as an abuse of process?
  3. 3 What costs orders are appropriate in light of the contempt and New Claim?

Ratio Decidendi

Dr Wright's breaches of anti-suit injunctions were deliberate, premeditated, and caused serious harm to COPA and third parties. The seriousness of the contempts, lack of remorse, and absence of mitigation justified a custodial sentence. However, given Dr Wright's absence from the jurisdiction and the court's ability to strike out the New Claim, a 12-month term of imprisonment suspended for two years was imposed, to be activated by any further breach of the order. The New Claim was struck out as an abuse of process, and indemnity costs were awarded to COPA and SquareUp.

Court Disposition

Dr Wright sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years; New Claim struck out as abuse of process; indemnity costs awarded to COPA and SquareUp.

Orders

  • New Claim struck out under CPR 3.3 and 3.4 as abuse of process.
  • Dr Wright sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, to be activated by any further breach of the order dated 16 July 2024 within two years from 19 December 2024.