Commercial & Intellectual Property Law Specialist Barristers
Intellectual Property Law
of England and Wales
BARRISTERS SPECIALISING IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
Threats of Litigation in Intellectual Property Law
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Table of Contents
- WHEN IS A THREAT TO SUE ACTIONABLE?
- WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF LAW THAT PROTECT AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE?
- IN WHAT AREAS OF IP LAW ARE UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE ACTIONABLE?
- WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON ACTIONABLE THREATS TO SUE?
- IN WHAT AREAS OF IP LAW ARE UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE NOT ACTIONABLE?
- WHAT MUST BE PROVED TO SUCCEED IN A CLAIM FOR AN UNJUSTIFIED THREAT TO SUE?
- HOW CAN PROTECTION BE SOUGHT AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE IN COPYRIGHT, PASSING OFF AND BREACH OF CONFIDENCE?
- WHAT DEFENCES ARE AVAILABLE IN ACTIONS FOR THREATS TO SUE?
- WHAT RELIEF IS AVAILABLE FOR UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE?
- HOW CAN TEMPLIS CHAMBERS HELP?
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1. WHEN IS A THREAT TO SUE ACTIONABLE?
A threat to sue can be actionable when it is:
- unjustified
- a mere threat that is being misused as a potent commercial weapon
- made casually or recklessly
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2. WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF LAW THAT PROTECT AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE?
- s 70 Patent Act 1977
- s26 Registered Designs Act
- s253 Copyright Designs and Patents Act
- case law
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3. IN WHAT AREAS OF IP LAW ARE UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE ACTIONABLE?
Unjustified threats to sue are actionable for:
- Patents
- Trade marks
- Registered Designs
- Unregistered Designs
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4. WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON ACTIONABLE THREATS TO SUE?
The threat to sue:
- must be made in an area of IP law where the threat is actionable (see qu 3)
- will be excluded if made in relation to primary acts of infringement Cavity Trays -v- RMC Panel Products [1996] RPC 361
- will be looked at through the eyes of the reasonable and normal recipient Brain -v- Ingledew Brown Bennison & Garret (No 3) [1997]FSR 511
- application must not be frivolous or made by those who have no real interest in the threat Brain -v- Ingledew Brown Bennison & Garret [1997] FSR 511, 519
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5. IN WHAT AREAS OF IP LAW ARE UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE NOT ACTIONABLE?
There are no specific provisions to sue for an unjustified threat to sue in relation to:
- Copyright
- Passing Off
- Breach of confidence
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6. WHAT MUST BE PROVED TO SUCCEED IN A CLAIM FOR AN UNJUSTIFIED THREAT TO SUE?
Before a claimant succeeds in an action for an unjustified threat to sue he must show that:
- he is aggrieved
- the threat is actionable
To be actionable the threat must be made against someone in particular. It must not be just a general threat (see Speedycranes -v- Thompson [1978] rpc 221
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7. HOW CAN PROTECTION BE SOUGHT AGAINST UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE IN COPYRIGHT, PASSING OFF AND BREACH OF CONFIDENCE?
As there is no specific cause of action for an unjustified threat to sue in Copyright, Passing Off and Breach of confidence protection may be found as an alternative in actions for:
- a declaration of non-infringement (see Leco Instruments -v- Land Pyremeters [1982] RPC133 136)
- abuse of process (see Grainger -v- Hill (1838) 4 Bing NC 212)
- injurious falsehood/malicious falsehood
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8. WHAT DEFENCES ARE AVAILABLE IN ACTIONS FOR THREATS TO SUE?
The following are defences that can be raised against a claim for unjustified threats to sue (the list is not exhaustive).
- the threat is justified
- the threat made is not actionable
- the claimant hasn't shown he is 'aggrieved'
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9. WHAT RELIEF IS AVAILABLE FOR UNJUSTIFIED THREATS TO SUE?
A successful claimant in an action for an unjustified threat to sue can seek the following relief:
- a declaration that the threat is unjustifiable
- an injunction against the continuance of the threat
- damages
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10. HOW CAN TEMPLIS CHAMBERS HELP?
Have you been threatened with Intellectual Property Law Litigation, or do you need to issue a claim?
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7649 9808 or Contact Us
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