Superman is Clark Kent. Batman is Bruce Wayne. And Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonymous creator of Bitcoin, is…Dr Craig Wright (or so he claims).
Dr Wright is involved in numerous actions in the English courts including Wright & Ors v BTC Core & Ors, where claims of copyright infringement relating to the Bitcoin system are made by Dr Wright against multiple defendants.
The focus of the hearing was whether copyright subsists in a particular electronic file format used in the Bitcoin system, or the “Bitcoin File Format”.
The short answer, no.
Why? Because copyright cannot subsist in computer code (which is a “literary work”) unless and until it is recorded, in writing or otherwise.
The Bitcoin File Format was precisely that: a format, a structure. The data recorded in the Bitcoin File Format was organised according to that structure.
However, the structure itself was not recorded in a line of code. It was not identifiable. There was no standalone piece of code that recorded the Bitcoin File Format. And, as the judge observed, including code that recorded that structure would be unnecessary and an inefficient use of memory. In essence, it was incumbent on Dr Wright to have identified the content of the Bitcoin File Format, not just the structure. By failing to identify the content applying to the Bitcoin File Format, this aspect of the claim did not have a realistic prospect of success and could not continue.
Dr Wright intends to appeal the decision.
Waterfront comment: Copyright does protect various aspects of computer software code. However, this case is a reminder that there is a limit to such protection. Claimants need to sufficiently identify the works in which copyright subsists and the copyright works that they allege are infringing.
Immersive and interactive artworks are growing in popularity across the world, with hundreds being created…
In an increasingly competitive market where innovation, aesthetics, and brand identity are critical assets UK businesses must take a strategic approach to intellectual property (IP) protection. Whether you’re a fashion brand, tech firm, or start-up, building and maintaining a strong IP portfolio is essential for long-term value and commercial success.
Generative AI represents a new frontier in fashion innovation but it also challenges conventional notions of creativity, ownership, and protection. As the law catches up, designers, tech firms, and brands must proactively engage with and stay on top of the changes. Whether it’s securing copyright, registering designs, or navigating patents, a specialist AI London Solicitor or IP London Solicitor can help turn AI built fashion into a legally protected asset.
As the digital fashion industry booms alongside the rise of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), questions around intellectual property (IP) ownership, licensing, and legal enforcement are more pressing than ever. Digital garments at first only used in the gaming sphere are now traded on blockchain platforms, worn in virtual environments, and even showcased on social media and virtual runways. With this evolution comes the need for legal clarity, especially for designers, platforms, and consumers based in the UK.