Nova Productions Ltd v Mazooma Games Ltd & Ors Rev 1

Nova Productions Ltd v Mazooma Games Ltd & Ors Rev 1

The features allegedly copied were either commonplace, obvious, or expressed at a high level of abstraction, and their implementation in the defendants' games was materially different. No substantial part of any artistic, literary, or preparatory design copyright work was reproduced. The actions fail.

Parties
Claimant: Nova Productions Limited; Defendant: Mazooma Games Limited; Defendant: Games Network; Defendant: Gamestec; Defendant: Inspired; Defendant: Leisure Link; Defendant: Bell Fruit Games Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 January 2006
Procedural Posture
Copyright Infringement Action / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Actions dismissed; no copyright infringement found.
Legal Topics
Copyright Infringement, Artistic Works, Literary Works, Computer Programs, Preparatory Design Material, Substantial Part Reproduction, Commonplace Features, Software Directive
Intellectual Property Copyright Copyright Infringement Artistic Works Literary Works Computer Programs Preparatory Design Material Substantial Part Reproduction +2 more

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Parties

Nova Productions Limited

Claimant

Mazooma Games Limited

Defendant

Games Network

Defendant

Gamestec

Defendant

Inspired

Defendant

Leisure Link

Defendant

Bell Fruit Games Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Copyright Infringement Action / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Did the defendants copy Pocket Money when creating Jackpot Pool and Trick Shot?
  2. 2 Did such copying involve reproduction of a substantial part of any copyright work owned by Nova?

Ratio Decidendi

The features allegedly copied were either commonplace, obvious, or expressed at a high level of abstraction, and their implementation in the defendants' games was materially different. No substantial part of any artistic, literary, or preparatory design copyright work was reproduced. The actions fail.

Court Disposition

Actions dismissed; no copyright infringement found.