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Law Cases
Intellectual Property Law Cases
Breach of Confidence Cases

Fraser v Thames TV [1984] 1 QB 44

Country:
United Kingdom
By Oxbridge Law Team
Held
Facts

  • Claimant had idea for TV series concerning a female rock group. Was partly fictional and partly based on experiences of Claimant. Idea was communicated to Defendant (a scriptwriter), who then communicated it to Defendant 2 (a producer).

  • Defendant and Defendant 2’s TV company went on to produce TV show based on idea, but using different actresses to Claimant.

  • Claimant sued for breach of confidence.

Held

  • Fact that idea was communicated orally is irrelevant to liability

    • I.e. information can be confidential regardless of its form.

  • To be confidential, idea must have some element of originality not already in public knowledge.

  • Must also be case that idea is clearly identifiable

    • I.e. as vague idea does not suffice, but also no need for idea to be fully developed

Facts

  • Information was confidential.

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