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Music companies win record copyright payout
31/05/2007
CD Wow has had to pay £35 million in damages to members of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), constituting the largest copyright payout in Britain, Northern Ireland and the rest of the world.
The compensation comes after legal wranglings lasting since 2002 when CD Wow signed a legally-binding agreement not to import CDs at discount prices.
Geoff Taylor, BPI's chief executive, explained: "CD Wow has been undermining the legitimate businesses of UK retailers and record companies by continuing to import CDs and music DVDs from Asia, despite having given court undertakings that it would stop doing so."
Mr Justice Evans ruled that CD Wow bosses were in both in contempt of court and had substantially breached copyright laws by reneging on the contract.
Simon Baggs, who acted as solicitor for the BPI, said: "This [ruling] shows courts are prepared to take these cases seriously and it gives copyright owners reassurance that awards of substance are out there for them if their rights have been infringed."
Solicitors acting on behalf of copyright claimants will be interested in the judgment as it "sets an important legal precedent as the industry seeks to prevent the illegal importing of CDs from outside Europe", according to BPI.
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The compensation comes after legal wranglings lasting since 2002 when CD Wow signed a legally-binding agreement not to import CDs at discount prices.
Geoff Taylor, BPI's chief executive, explained: "CD Wow has been undermining the legitimate businesses of UK retailers and record companies by continuing to import CDs and music DVDs from Asia, despite having given court undertakings that it would stop doing so."
Mr Justice Evans ruled that CD Wow bosses were in both in contempt of court and had substantially breached copyright laws by reneging on the contract.
Simon Baggs, who acted as solicitor for the BPI, said: "This [ruling] shows courts are prepared to take these cases seriously and it gives copyright owners reassurance that awards of substance are out there for them if their rights have been infringed."
Solicitors acting on behalf of copyright claimants will be interested in the judgment as it "sets an important legal precedent as the industry seeks to prevent the illegal importing of CDs from outside Europe", according to BPI.
Contact us for legal advice
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