Copyright infringement case raises concerns around private prosecutions

Table of contents

• Original news
• Does this judgment clarify the law on bringing private prosecutions?
• What are the implications for lawyers?
• Do you expect to see further legal action on the issue in light of this?
• Are there any patterns emerging in the law in this area?

Article summary

IP & IT analysis: It was unlawful for the Media Protection Services (MPS) to bring a private prosecution for reward against the Crawfords. By laying an information leading to the issue of a summons, the director of MPS had carried out a reserved legal activity within the meaning of the Legal Services Act 2007 without being either authorised or exempt; the prosecution was therefore void. Nick Brett, criminal defence partner at Brett Wilson LLP, explains the implications of the ruling and says there are appeals against convictions for serious offences in cases brought by private prosecutors in the pipeline.