Cases

Service Corp International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television Corp & Anor

Comment

A striking feature of the case was that P (in order to limit distress to relatives of the deceased) tried to stop broadcast of the covert film, whilst accepting that the events shown could be described in words. The judge saw no real distinction, leaving nothing to which confidentiality could be attached. The copyright claim failed as a result, as it depended on a claim that A was in breach of his fiduciary duty as P's employee, by using P's confidential information to make the film. Later authorities have tended to regard information about daily events in factories, offices and other workplaces as lacking the quality of confidentiality in any event. See for instance the High Court of Australia's decision in ABC v Lenah Game Meats and Tillery Valley Foods v Channel Four.

Areas of work

Copyright
Human Rights
Injunctive Relief
Intellectual Property
Media Law
Privacy and Confidence

Also