Highbury Wins IPC Media Copyright Case
A High Court judgement was handed down yesterday, clearing magazine publisher Highbury House of any wrong doing against rival publisher IPC’s claims that its Home magazine was too similar to its Ideal Home title.
IPC had complained that the design of Home‘s front cover and certain internal features of the magazine were too similar to its title, and that its designs had been copied, infringing copyright laws.
However, Mr Justice Laddie dismissed IPC’s complaint and accepted that Highbury House had designed Home magazine without infringing any of its rival’s rights.
Reacting to the judgement, Mark Simpson, Highbury House’s chief executive said: “This court action has been a significant distraction for Highbury House. I am very pleased, however, that after an exhaustive examination of the position over three weeks in the High Court, the Court has ruled in our favour. I am delighted that this action has now been resolved. We will be glad to put the disruption that it has caused behind us and get back to concentrating on what we do best – publishing magazines which compete strongly in their markets.”
He added: “Highbury House will claim from IPC the fullest possible contribution to its costs in this case. We are confident that any amount not recoverable from IPC or its insurers will not have a material adverse impact on the Highbury Group.”
Highbury has seen its business suffer during 2004, indicating in a trading statement yesterday that it may have to close some of its titles next year in order to cut costs. The publisher has also pledged to reduce its debt next year, with a planned divestment of its business-to-business division, due to deliver the required funds in early 2005 (see Highbury To Close Titles As 2004 Proves Unsuccessful).
Highbury House Communications: www.hhc.co.uk
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