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Allen v Bloomsbury and JK Rowling [2010] EWHC 2560 (Ch)18 March 2011The author of a book on wizards is arguing that JK Rowling infringed copyright when she created the Harry Potter series, especially the 4th book, Goblet of Fire. Adrian Speck acted for JK Rowling for the summary judgment and both he and John Baldwin QC are instructed for the trial in February 2012.  
Lucas Films v Andrew Ainsworth [2009] EWCA Civ 13287 March 2011In 1976, the shooting of the film “Star Wars” was imminent, but the studio had not managed to produce the armour and helmets for the Stormtroopers. Andrew Ainsworth, an artist with special skills in thermoforming materials, came to the rescue. Not only did he manage to produce the iconic costumes for the Stormtroopers, in accordance […]
Hasbro v 123 Nahrmittel [2011] EWHC 199 (Ch)11 February 2011John Baldwin QC and Henry Ward acted for the defendant in this trial heard by Mr. Justice Floyd in January 2011. Hasbro owns the trade mark Play-Doh for squishy modelling compounds. Since many consumers refer to the product as play dough, the Defendant thought it could use that expression in its marketing. Unlike Play-Doh, the […]
Elmo-Tech v Guidance [2011] EWHC 98 (Pat)26 January 2011Patent; Whether French law of secrecy/national defence prevented disclosure or provision of a product description.
Georgetown, Rochester and Loyola Universities v. UKIPO (Case C-422/10).12 January 2011This case, joined with the reference in Medeva v. UKIPO, is one of the most closely-watched cases in the area of SPCs. It primarily concerns the interpretation of Article 3(b) of the SPC Regulation and was referred to the ECJ by Kitchin J in 2010. It raises the question of whether a marketing authorization to […]