Cases

Brown v Mcasso Music Productions Ltd

Facts

The Claimant acting in person had succeeded in an action for copyright infringement in the Patents County Court that had been allocated to the fast track. He claimed that he was the joint-author of the lyrics of musical work titled Mr High Roller that the Defendant had produced. Copyright infringement was alleged in respect of use on the Defendant's website as a showreel. The trial judge held that he was the owner of 10% of the copyright and awarded £180 damages. However, the Court made an order requiring the Claimant to pay Defendant's costs. In the exercise of the costs discretion, the judge relied on 2 offers that were rejected by the Claimant plus his refusal to agree to refer the case to the Musicians Union Dispute Resolution Scheme. Neither of the offers complied with Part 36. The Defendants' costs were of the order of £52,000. The Claimant appealed to the Court of Appeal against the costs order.

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