Countrywide Assured Group, the largest estate agent in the UK, is taking another agency to the High Court, accusing them of pirating part of its client database. The writ accuses Homemovers Ltd, which keeps a database of houses for sale, of flagrantly copying Countrywide’s database without consent.
The writ claims that Homemovers copied details of properties which it then published on its website on 27 March. Countrywide argues that the information represented substantial investment on its part and that, in the eyes of the law, it should be viewed as an original literary work protected by copyright.
Now, in what lawyers believe is a unique battle over intellectual property rights, Countrywide is seeking an injunction restraining Homemovers from infringing copyright and database rights, and an order that all offending articles and materials be handed over.
Countrywide claims it is entitled to damages under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988, and seeks an inquiry into damages, or an account of profits, and payment of all sums found due from Homemovers, of North East of England Business and Innovation Centre, Warefield, Sunderland Enterprise Park, Sunderland.
No date has yet been fixed for hearing of the case but lawyers for Countrywide say they hope it will reach court in the autumn.
EGi News 07/06/00
