Ultra Marketing (UK) Ltd & Anor v Universal Components Ltd

Ultra Marketing (UK) Ltd & Anor v Universal Components Ltd

Mr Scott's 1976 drawing is an original artistic work entitled to copyright protection, but Universal Components did not copy the drawing, either directly or indirectly; their designs were independently created based on industry knowledge and technical constraints, and the similarities are insufficient to constitute infringement.

Parties
Claimant: Ultra Marketing (UK) Limited; Claimant: Thomas Alexander Scott; Defendant: Universal Components Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
12 March 2004
Procedural Posture
Civil / Final Judgment
Outcome
action dismissed
Legal Topics
Copyright Infringement, Artistic Works, Indirect Copying, Originality
Intellectual Property Copyright Infringement Artistic Works Indirect Copying Originality

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 6 Authorities cited 11 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Ultra Marketing (UK) Limited

Claimant

Thomas Alexander Scott

Claimant

Universal Components Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Mr Scott's 1976 drawing is an original artistic work entitled to copyright protection
  2. 2 Whether Universal Components indirectly copied Mr Scott's 1976 drawing when producing Panatrim frames with pips
  3. 3 Whether the law protects the idea or only the expression of the idea

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Scott's 1976 drawing is an original artistic work entitled to copyright protection, but Universal Components did not copy the drawing, either directly or indirectly; their designs were independently created based on industry knowledge and technical constraints, and the similarities are insufficient to constitute infringement.

Court Disposition

action dismissed