Moviebox Megastores International Ltd & Ors v Rahi & Ors [2023] EWHC 501 (Ch) (08 March 2023)

Moviebox Megastores International Ltd & Ors v Rahi & Ors [2023] EWHC 501 (Ch) (08 March 2023)

The Claimants proved that Mr Rahi was not the author of the disputed songs and did not own copyright. Mr Rahi's complaints to YouTube were malicious and fraudulent, intended to cause economic loss, and interfered with Claimants' relations with YouTube. The evidence established Mr Rahi acted in concert with Ms...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] EWHC 501 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Moviebox Megastores International Limited; Claimant: Oriental Star Agencies Limited; Claimant: Moviebox (Birmingham) Limited; Defendant: Mohammad Akram Rahi; Defendant: Shazia Manzoor; Defendant: Azeem Ud Din Qureshi
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 March 2023
Procedural Posture
Consolidated Copyright and Tort Claims / Trial of Preliminary Issues (liability Only)
Outcome
Liability established against Mr Rahi for malicious falsehood, fraud, causing loss by unlawful means, and conspiracy. Liability established against Ms Manzoor and Mr Qureshi by default. Quantum of damages to be determined at subsequent hearing.
Legal Topics
Copyright Ownership, Malicious Falsehood, Fraudulent Misrepresentation, Conspiracy to Injure by Unlawful Means, Digital Platform Takedown Procedures
Intellectual Property Tort Commercial Law Copyright Ownership Malicious Falsehood Fraudulent Misrepresentation Conspiracy to Injure by Unlawful Means Digital Platform Takedown Procedures

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Moviebox Megastores International Limited

Claimant

Oriental Star Agencies Limited

Claimant

Moviebox (Birmingham) Limited

Claimant

Mohammad Akram Rahi

Defendant

Shazia Manzoor

Defendant

Azeem Ud Din Qureshi

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Consolidated Copyright and Tort Claims / Trial of Preliminary Issues (liability Only)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Authorship and copyright ownership of 12 songs
  2. 2 Maliciousness and fraudulence of copyright claims to YouTube
  3. 3 Intent to cause economic loss

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimants proved that Mr Rahi was not the author of the disputed songs and did not own copyright. Mr Rahi's complaints to YouTube were malicious and fraudulent, intended to cause economic loss, and interfered with Claimants' relations with YouTube. The evidence established Mr Rahi acted in concert with Ms Manzoor and Mr Qureshi in a conspiracy to injure Claimants by unlawful means.

Court Disposition

Liability established against Mr Rahi for malicious falsehood, fraud, causing loss by unlawful means, and conspiracy. Liability established against Ms Manzoor and Mr Qureshi by default. Quantum of damages to be determined at subsequent hearing.

Orders

  • Injunction granted restraining Mr Rahi from making further copyright claims to YouTube regarding disputed songs.
  • Mr Rahi required to retract prior complaints to YouTube.