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Self Publishing Versus Publishing House
Remedies for Copyright Infringement
Who can Claim Copyright Infringement?
Criminal Liability for Copyright Infringement
Can Ideas be Protected by Copyright?
Copyright for Freelance Writers
Copyright in Literary, Dramatic and Musical Works
Copyright in Sound Recordings and Films
Copyright in Published editions
Computer Generated Works Copyright
Copyright Protection for Software
Copyright Technological Protection Measures
Internet Service Providers Copyright Illegal Material
Defence of Fair Dealing in Copyright Law
Trade Marks Relative Grounds for Refusal
Defences to Trademark Infringement
Defences to Patent Infringement
Information Commissioner Data Protection Act Powers
Protection of Company Information
Data Protection Requirements for Business
Copyright infringement is a civil wrong and where infringement occurs a claim may be brought by the copyright owner or a person who has an exclusive licence to the work through the civil courts. In certain circumstances copyright infringement can amount to a criminal offence as well.
Where a person, without the licence of the copyright owner, carries out one of the following acts they commit a criminal offence:
makes for sale or hire an article which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of a copyright work;
imports into the United Kingdom otherwise than for his private and domestic use an article which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of a copyright work;
possesses in the course of a business an article which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to committing any act infringing the copyright;
in the course of a business sells or lets for hire or offers or exposes for sale or hire or exhibits in public or distributes an article which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of a copyright work;
distributes otherwise than in the course of a business an article which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe is an infringing copy of a copyright work to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the owner of the copyright (informally swapping computer games via an enthusiast’s network has been held to amount to such an offence);
makes an article specifically designed or adapted for making copies of a particular copyright work and which he knows or has reason to believe that it is to be used to make infringing copies for sale or hire or for use in the course of a business;
possesses an article specifically designed or adapted for making copies of a particular copyright work and which he knows or has reason to believe that it is to be used to make infringing copies for sale or hire or for use in the course of a business;
communicates copyright work to the public in the course of a business, or otherwise than in the course of a business to such an extent as to affect prejudicially the copyright owner where he knows or has reason to believe that, by doing so, he is infringing copyright in that work;
“causes” the public performance of a literary, dramatic or musical work where he knows or has reason to believe that copyright would be infringed (a person “causes” such a performance only if they perform it themselves or their servants or agents perform it – the owner of premises will not be liable by letting out the premises in which the performance is held);
“causes” the playing or showing in public of a sound recording or film where he knows or has reason to believe that copyright would be infringed (simply delivering a film to an exhibitor has held to be insufficient).
Where an offence is committed by a company or another type of organisation the directors, managers, secretary or similar officers of the company or organisation or a person who purports to act in one of these capacities also commits a criminal offence if they consented to or connived (knew was what going on but turned a blind eye and did nothing about it) in the act.
A search warrant may be issued by the Magistrates’ Court where there are reasonable grounds to believe that one of the above offences has been or is about to be committed and if there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is evidence relating to the offence at the premises to which the search warrant relates.
Where a search warrant is issued a police constable is able to use reasonable force when conducting the search and has the power to seize any article which he reasonably believes is evidence that an offence has been or is about to be committed.
A search warrant remains in force for 3 months from the date upon which it is issued.
If a person is found guilty of one of the above offences they may receive a fine and/or face imprisonment. The amount of any fine and the length of any imprisonment will depend on the nature of the offence.
The criminal courts can also, in certain circumstances, order the delivery up to the copyright owner or to such person as the court may direct of any infringing material or article specifically designed or adapted for making copies of a particular copyright work. The criminal courts can also order the forfeiture of any such material or article.
Where criminal and civil proceedings are commenced in tandem either court may “stay” (put on hold) the proceedings in their court pending the outcome of the other set of proceedings.
Any admission or statement made by a person or information provided by him pursuant to a court order in the course of the civil proceedings is inadmissible in the criminal proceedings.
Civil proceedings are far more common than criminal proceedings for two main reasons. Firstly, the standard of proof is lower in the civil courts and it is not necessary to prove that a person knew or reasonably believed that they were carrying out an act in civil proceedings. Secondly, the criminal courts do not have the power to order “damages” (compensation) for losses suffered as a consequence of copyright infringement.
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