National Soccer League T/A Premier Soccer League v Gidani (Pty) Ltd (10/48519)
National Soccer League T/A Premier Soccer League v Gidani (Pty) Ltd (10/48519) [2014] ZAGPJHC 33; [2014] 2 All SA 461 (GJ); 2014 BIP 426 (GJ) (28 February 2014)
The court found that the plaintiff's annual and weekly soccer fixture lists are original literary works within the meaning of the Copyright Act, compiled through substantial skill, judgment, and labour, and thus eligible for copyright protection. The defendant reproduced and adapted substantial parts of these lists in its Sport Stake gambling game without licence or authority, constituting ongoing infringement. The defence of implied non-exclusive licence was abandoned, and the court rejected the argument that public dissemination or constitutional freedom of expression excused the defendant'…
Source excerpt
- Copyright In Fixture Lists
- Originality Requirement
- Literary Works
- Substantial Copying
- Implied Licence
- Constitutional Property Rights