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Netflix files lawsuit over 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical'
On 29 July, Netflix filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. against two TikTok stars, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, alleging that their Grammy-winning “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” project infringed the hit show's intellectual property rights.
Read moreStream on! CMA halts plans to investigate music streaming market
The UK's Competition & Markets Authority recently published its interim report on the music streaming market, prompting mixed responses from the music industry. Record labels, publishers and streaming providers appear generally pleased with the findings, but various artists, musicians, songwriters and managers say they believe it has underdelivered.
Read moreParliamentary Group urges UK government to help musicians and crew tour Europe more easily
The All-Parliamentary Group on Music (a cross-party group of more than 100 MPS and Peers) together with representatives from the music industry set out the urgent steps the Government needs to take to help UK musicians following Brexit.
Read moreCMA ends its investigation into online console gaming subscription practices
The UK Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has now closed its investigation into subscription practices in the online console gaming sector after key players Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft committed to making improvements to their contract terms with a view to better protecting customers.
Read moreEurovision contestant and Rudimental come out on pop in copyright dispute
Coming out on pop: Rudimental's single Waiting All Night, composed by Eurovision 2021 contestant James Newman, was not the product of copying a song written in 2001 by a contestant on the Voice UK.
Read more(Sex) Pistols at dawn over Danny Boyle's new biopic series
Sex Pistols band members accuse frontman John Lydon of being No Fun and creating Anarchy for refusing to authorise licences for the use of the band's music in Danny Boyle's forthcoming TV series, Pistol.
Read moreWho gets to deliver my news? - Ofcom starts its consultation on changes to media ownership restrictions
Ofcom is looking to update old rules governing media ownership in the UK to reflect consumers increased access to news online and the fragmented use of traditional media, and the implications of reform could be far reaching.
Read moreStreaming platforms to consolidate? "The stuff that dreams are made of"
Discovery and AT&T's WarnerMedia are merging to create a streaming behemoth named Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Will this mark a trend in the consolidation of streaming platforms, and what are the implications?
Read moreCourt of Appeal upholds copyright infringement decision against digital radio aggregator
The Court of Appeal has refused TuneIn's appeal of a 2019 judgment finding that it had infringed the copyright of Warner and Sony by linking to online radio stations.
Read moreUK Courts find hidden voice in film authorship dispute
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) has found that there was there was an additional joint author of the Florence Foster Jenkins screenplay – in a decision of significant relevance to the film industry.
Read moreReproduction of infringing content online: who's liable?
Keyword advertising, search engine optimisation and liability for infringement via online marketplaces: In recent years, there has been a plethora of cases concerning the various ways that trade marks may be infringed, through use on the internet.
Read moreAll is not (necessarily) lost: Crypto crime recovery
With over 2 million people in the UK now holding and using cryptocurrency, and the Chancellor announcing that a government backed non-fungible token ("NFT") is to be issued by the Royal Mint this summer, the market for crypto-assets is expected to continue to grow in the coming months and years; so much so that legislation is planned to implement a new regulatory regime for the crypto market.
Read moreAesthetic appeal and craftsmanship are not enough: WaterRower fails to secure copyright protection as a UK work of artistic craftsmanship
The term "artistic craftsmanship" has no statutory definition under UK copyright law – a position that has only been made more challenging by a conflict between EU and UK case law in this area. In this hotly anticipated judgment, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) sought to determine what it means to be a work of artistic craftsmanship in the context of s 4(1)(c) of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA).
Read moreMcDonald's BIG MAC trade mark – General Court gives decision on evidence of genuine use
In a decision that, practically, provides for only a tiny loss of protection for the behemoth brand and trade mark, on 5 June 2024 the European General Court (General Court) partially revoked McDonald's BIG MAC trade mark (the EUTM) in the EU (Supermac's (Holdings) Ltd v EUIPO (Case T 58/23)).
Read moreGinfringement: Success for M&S in the Court of Appeal in registered design spat with Aldi
M&S and Aldi's gin bottle battle over design rights has reached a conclusion (for now) as the Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the IPEC's decision that Aldi's bottle infringed M&S' design.
Read moreClear as gin: M&S and Aldi take liquor bottle battle to the Court of Appeal
Intellectual property enthusiasts' favourite supermarket adversaries were back at loggerheads this week as M&S and Aldi appear before the Court of Appeal. The pair sought to thrash out a first instance decision handed down in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) regarding alleged infringement of M&S' registered design rights in a gin bottle.
Read moreThaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'
To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.
Read moreGenerative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position
The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.
Read moreM&S v Aldi – lookalike claims lit up by design rights
As lookalike products rise in prominence, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court's (IPEC) recent ruling that the sale and advertisement of Aldi's 'Infusionist' range of favoured gins infringed M&S's UK registered designs protecting the light-up bottles containing its 'Snow Globe' gin range (Marks and Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited [2023] EWHC 178) highlights the utility of registered design rights in circumstances where other intellectual property rights (IPR) are often less able to provide protection.
Read moreLookalikes and passing off—bottle design get-up claim (Au Vodka)
Currently there's significant activity in the lookalikes space. The Au Vodka claim (Au Vodka v NE10 Vodka [2022] EWHC 2371), which focuses on bottle design 'get-up', arrived in the courts for an interim injunction hearing in September 2022. Au Vodka's application was dismissed. The judgment shows that passing off—get-up claims based on shape can be challenging to bring, particularly at the interim stage, and prompts the question of whether it's possible to bring Cofemel and copyright into the lookalikes arena.
Read moreSky Kick Back! High Court finding of bad faith overturned by Court of Appeal in long-running Sky v Skykick saga
On 26 July 2021, the Court of Appeal (CoA) handed down its much-anticipated decision in the latest instalment of the Sky v Skykick trade mark dispute.
Read moreWilliam Grant & Sons v Lidl: where to be-gin?
On 25 May 2021, the Scottish Court of Session (SCOS) granted an interim interdict (akin to an interim injunction), which prevents Lidl from selling its own brand 'Hampstead gin' in Scottish stores, pending the outcome of the matter at trial.
Read moreCopyright: Online platform operators’ liability for users illegally uploading copyright material
C-682/18 Frank Peterson v Google LLC and others and C 683/18 Elsevier Inc. v Cyando AG EU:C:2020:586 – A-G opinion
Read moreLandmark case sees trade mark specifications cut down on grounds of bad faith.
Today, the High Court handed down judgment in Sky v SkyKick. The judgment follows the CJEU's 29 January 2020 decision, which answered various questions that the High Court had referred to it, back in June 2018.
Read moreCOVID-19 prompts changes to working arrangements for the Court of Justice of the European Union
Prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CJEU announced, on 19 March 2020, that it will be temporarily changing its working arrangements.
Read moreUpper Tribunal considers when a dividend becomes 'due and payable' for tax purposes
In HMRC v Gould [2024] UKUT 00285 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal dismissed HMRC's appeal and confirmed that an enforceable debt arises when a company pays an interim dividend to one shareholder but not another of the same class.
Read moreLoan Charge regime - High Court strikes out taxpayers' Part 8 claims as abuse of process
In allowing HMRC's appeal, the High Court determined that the taxpayers' claims in respect of the Loan Charge should be struck out as an abuse of process.
Read moreUpper Tribunal allows taxpayers' appeals on 'deliberate' behaviour
In the Outram case, the Upper Tribunal overturned the First-tier Tribunal's decision concluding that it had erred in law when deciding that the taxpayers had deliberately filed an inaccurate return without considering the subjective knowledge and intention of the taxpayers concerned.
Read moreWill the UK government's latest measures targeting promoters of tax avoidance and fraud be effective?
In this article, which is based on an article published in Issue 4 2024 of the British Tax Review, Adam Craggs considers whether the UK's latest measures targeting promoters of tax avoidance schemes and tax fraud will be effective.
Read morePreparing for an HMRC dawn raid
How to prepare for a dawn raid by HMRC under the authority of a search warrant issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), enabling them to enter and search premises to investigate suspected tax fraud.
Read moreTaxing Matters: Deck the halls… with weird and wonderful taxes throughout history
In our special Christmas episode, Alexis Armitage, RPC's Taxing Matters podcast host and Senior Associate in our Tax Disputes and Investigations team, is joined by Andrew Hubbard, editor-in-chief of Tolley's Taxation Magazine. From candles to beards, join them as they discuss the most bizarre taxes that have existed throughout British history.
Read moreTribunal strikes out HMRC's application for a tax-related information notice penalty against Paul Baxendale-Walker
In Paul Baxendale-Walker v HMRC [2024] UKUT 00154 (TC), the Upper Tribunal granted an application by the taxpayer, under Rule 8(3)(c) of the Upper Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008, to strike out HMRC's application seeking a tax-related information notice penalty pursuant to paragraph 50 of Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008.
Read moreTax Bites – December 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites – providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreCourt of Appeal considers HMRC's CIS powers and allows taxpayers' appeals
In Beech Developments (Manchester) Ltd & Ors v Commissioners for His Majesty's Revenue and Customs [2024] EWCA Civ 486, the Court of Appeal allowed the taxpayers' appeals, finding that HMRC does have power to issue a direction under Regulation 9(4) of the Construction Industry Scheme Regulations, where the same amount has been subject to a regulation 13 determination.
Read moreTaxing Matters: ADR in tax disputes with HMRC's ADR lead, Fiona McRobert
In this month's episode of Taxing Matters, Alexis Armitage is joined by HMRC's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) lead, Fiona McRobert, to discuss HMRC's approach to the ADR process, and how tax disputes may be resolved outside the Tax Tribunals and the court system.
Read moreTribunal finds insufficiency in taxpayer's return was not brought about "deliberately"
In allowing the taxpayer's appeal, the First-tier Tribunal determined that an insufficiency in his return was not brought about deliberately.
Read moreHow to prepare for an HMRC dawn raid
One of the most stressful moments for a business is HMRC officers demanding access to your premises, so it is vital to have plans in place in the event of a dawn raid.
Read moreContentious Tax Quarterly Review: November 2024
Adam Craggs and Harry Smith of RPC provide a Contentious Tax Quarterly Update discussing recent developments in tax litigation.
Read moreTribunal finds that mixed-use SDLT rates should be reined in for purchase of property and paddock
The Upper Tribunal dismissed HMRC's appeal and confirmed that mixed stamp duty land tax (SDLT) rates applied to the purchase of a property and adjoining paddock where a grazing lease for the latter was granted shortly after completion.
Read moreTax Bites – November 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites – providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreAutumn Budget 2024: summary of implications for businesses and individuals
Adam Craggs explores the key implications of the Autumn Budget 2024 for businesses and individuals.
Read moreTribunal allows taxpayer's appeal against information notice
In Sangha v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00564 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed, in part, Mr Sangha's appeal against HMRC's information notice issued under paragraph 1, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 as the information was not 'reasonably required' or in his 'possession or power'.
Read moreHMRC's DOTAS application struck out
In HMRC v Elite Management Consultancy Ltd (in administration) and Adam Bale [2024] UKFTT 00567 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) confirmed that HMRC's DOTAS application was automatically struck out when it failed to serve an authorities bundle on time in breach of an 'unless' order issued by the FTT.
Read moreTaxing Matters: Crystal ball gazing with Jasprit Singh
In this episode, Alexis Armitage, RPC's Taxing Matters podcast host and Senior Associate in our Tax Disputes and Investigations team, is joined by colleague and fellow Senior Associate, Jasprit Singh. Join them as they gaze into their crystal ball and predict what could be on the horizon for taxpayers under the new Labour government.
Read moreTribunal confirms that trading had commenced for the purposes of Entrepreneur's Relief
In allowing the taxpayer's appeal, the First-tier Tribunal determined that an LLP had commenced trading for the purposes of Entrepreneur's Relief.
Read moreTribunal confirms principal private residence relief available where development began before sale of land
In the recent Nunn case, the First-tier Tax Tribunal allowed the taxpayer's claim for principal private residence relief, where development on land began before its sale.
Read moreEffective case management before the Tax Tribunal
Adam Craggs and Daniel Williams consider the various stages involved in a tax appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber).
Read moreTax Bites – October 2024
Welcome to the latest edition of RPC's Tax Bites – providing monthly bite-sized updates from the tax world.
Read moreTribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms that non-residential SDLT rates applied
In Anne-Marie Hurst v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00540 (TC), the First-tier Tax Tribunal allowed the taxpayer's appeal against HMRC's closure notice, in which HMRC concluded that the residential rate of SDLT was due on the purchase of a property because the sellers had used it as a 'hotel, inn or similar establishment' (HISE).
Read moreHMRC's offshore information gathering powers
This blog considers HMRC's information gathering powers and, in particular, their application to High Net Worth individuals.
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