xs
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more
Law Cases
Intellectual Property Law Cases
Breach of Confidence Cases

Terrapin Ltd v Builders' Supply Co (Hayes) Ltd [1967] RPC 375

Country:
United Kingdom
By Oxbridge Law Team
Held

  • Defendant made prefabricated buildings to design specified by Claimant.

  • Claimant communicated manufacturing details and technical specifications to Defendant for this purpose. At end of contract, Defendant began to make its sell its own prefabricated buildings incorporating many of Claimant’s design features.

  • Claimant sued; Defendant claimed there was no breach as sale of Claimant’s buildings and existence of Claimant’s brochures meant information was available to public.

Held

  • Person who obtains information in confidence cannot use it as a springboard for activities detrimental to person who gave information.

  • Is true that inspection of brochures and dismantling of Claimant’s buildings might enable third party to copy design

    • However this is far more difficult than it would be without the technical specifications

  • Thus Claimant used information to give him unfair head-start over members of public

Any comments or edits about this case?
Get in touch

Similar cases

Murray v Yorkshire Fund Managers Ltd
Team of people, including Claimant, put together a business plan with view to securing assets of a company. Information was disclosed to a potential financial backer of plan (Defendant), who stated h...
Bristol Conservatories Ltd v Conservatories Custom Built Ltd
Defendant, a conservatory company, sent out brochure with pictures of conservatories they had supposedly done. In fact, those pictures were of conservatories built by Claimant. Was passing off. This...
Faccenda Chicken Ltd v Fowler
In the misuse and disclosure of confidential information acquired during employment, the focus is always on allegations of breaching the duty of confidence, where current or former employees disclose...
De Maudsley v Palumbo
Claimant revealed his idea for a new nightclub to Defendant during a dinner party. Information included that night club would operate all night, have top DJs from UK and worldwide, and would be decor...
LA Gear Inc v Hi-Tec Sports plc
Claimant made a shoe. Defendant began to sell a prototype shoe which Claimant alleged was an infringing copy of Claimant’s shoe. Claimant sent letter to Defendant enclosing a picture of Claimant’s sh...

Related free notes samples

Breach Of Confidence Notes
IP law notes fully updated for recent exams at Oxford and Cambridge. These notes cover all the LLB In
Breach Of Confidence Cases
IP law notes fully updated for recent exams at Oxford and Cambridge. These notes cover all the LLB In

logo

Ambitious and intelligent students
choose Oxbridge Notes.

©2024 Oxbridge Notes. All right reserved.