Copyright dispute is something that happens in court all too often; normally over the smallest of details. At least that’s how it appears. After all, a patent is a patent, and brands or individuals need to protect their intellectual property. Otherwise anyone could steal an idea from elsewhere, which would result in an abundance of unoriginality and lack of unique creativity. Taking on a copyright case with a huge company can always be a risk, but if you can prove you’ve been outdone; you will be on for making a lot of money. Here are the 5 pettiest cases of copyright dispute.
Apple vs. Samsung
credit: gillyberlin
Recently, one billion dollars was handed out to Apple after their famous on-going case of copyright dispute with Samsung. Apple felt that Samsung had infringed upon their patents, stealing such features as:
• End of list bouncing back
• General home screen
• The shape of the phone
• Zooming in & out by pinching
The jury and judge finally ruled that Apple were in the right, but documents show that Apple were unhappy with just a billion dollars, and are seeking seven hundred million more.
Harry Potter vs. Willy the Wizard
credit: Deirdreamer
In this historic case, a book named Willy the Wizard was said to be passed to JK Rowling in 1985 before she wrote any of the Harry Potter series. Rowling’s book ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ has been accused of being very similar to Willy the Wizard in many aspects. However, Rowling claims this is nonsense, and the first she ever heard about Willy the Wizard was in 2004 – when the copyright case was first brought up. The case goes on.
Lucasfim vs. Mr Ainsworth
credit: egenerica
George Lucas’s film company, Lucasfilm, famous for bringing the Star Wars film to fruition, lost a copyright case in 2011 against a prop designer named Mr Ainsworth. In 2004, Bailiffs appeared at Ainsworth’s door claiming twelve million pounds in damages, after selling Star Wars helmets and armour to fans which he originally designed. The whole of Hollywood was behind Lucas in this case including Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and John Landau to name a few, but Mr Ainsworth came out on top; using sales from making Stormtrooper gear to fund his legal expedition.
Bethesda vs. Mojang
credit: Pop Culture Geek
Publishing studios can get a little petty, especially in gaming. This couldn’t be truer in the case of Bethesda versus Mojang, where there was a dispute over the word ‘scrolls’. Bethesda, who have titles such as the Elder Scrolls and Skyrim, claimed ownership of the word over the very small & independent company Mojang (creators of Minecraft). In good faith & respect of the gaming giant that is Bethesda, Mojang took this case and asked for a compromise. Bethesda declined and in the end both parties settled.
Jon Fogerty vs. himself
credit: Wikipedia
A jury had to decide whether American music artist Jon Forgerty had plagiarised his own music in this bizarre case. Fogerty had a popular song named ‘Run through the Jungle’, which he sold off to another firm but still could claim royalties. However, later on in his career he released a song named ‘Centerfield’. The firm that bought his first single claimed it was exactly the same song, and was taken to court under copyright. The jury decided that the songs were not the same and Jon Fogerty walked away with pride and legal fees covered.
Contributed by the folks at PrinterInks, who know all too well that it’s always best to have everything on paper.
