Nova Productions Ltd v Mazooma Games Ltd & Ors Rev 1 [2006] EWHC 24 (Ch) (20 January 2006)

Nova Productions Ltd v Mazooma Games Ltd & Ors Rev 1 [2006] EWHC 24 (Ch) (20 January 2006)

The defendants did not reproduce a substantial part of any copyright work owned by Nova. While similarities existed between the games, they were attributable to common pool game themes and features, not to copying of protected expression. No infringement of artistic, literary, or dramatic copyright was established.

Citation
[2006] EWHC 24 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Nova Productions Limited; Defendant: Mazooma Games Limited; Defendant: Bell Fruit Games Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 January 2006
Procedural Posture
Copyright Infringement / Trial Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Copyright Subsistence, Copyright Infringement, Artistic Works, Literary Works, Dramatic Works, Computer Programs, Preparatory Design Material, Substantial Part Reproduction
Intellectual Property Copyright Copyright Subsistence Copyright Infringement Artistic Works Literary Works Dramatic Works Computer Programs +2 more

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Parties

Nova Productions Limited

Claimant

Mazooma Games Limited

Defendant

Bell Fruit Games Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Copyright Infringement / Trial Judgment

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 defendants did not reproduce a substantial part of any copyright work owned by Nova. While similarities existed between the games, they were attributable to common pool game themes and features, not to copying of protected expression. No infringement of artistic, literary, or dramatic copyright was established.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • No copyright infringement found
  • Defendants not liable