Chapterhouse & The Last Time GW Went To Court Over Copyrights

• Some initial notes:
    This is a Jury Verdict, and has not yet become a Final Judgement 
  Breaking down the counts along the different categories we have:
• Copyright Claims:
    160 claims alleged against CHS -GW won on 1/3 of the claims, including items such as CHS’ Powerfists -CHS won on 2/3 of the claims, including the use of the underlying shape and size of GW Shoulderpads.
• General Trademark Claims:
    9 claims alleged against CHS -CHS won all 9 claims, including either no infringement, or fair use of the GW trademarks on CHS’ website.
• Disputed Trademark Claims:
    21 disputed trademark claims alleged against CHS CHS won 11 claims GW won 10 claims
• GW Trademarks ruled “Previously Used in Commerce” Claims:
    61 claims alleged against CHS CHS won 35 claims GW won 27
• Notable Trends and Individual Products Under Dispute:
    CHS lost on some individual products including: -Doomseer -Dark Elf Arch Tortress 
  CHS won on some individual products including: -Jetbike -Super-heavy walker model -Lizard Ogre
• Damages Awarded:
    CHS ordered to pay GW damages of $25,000 USD 
  Both sides may appeal the ruling.

Thoughts and Implications

• It’s looking like however CHS as an entity comes out of this ruling, the implications for the 3rd party industry are profound.
• The ruling of no infringement for the use of the underlying shape and size of GW shoulderpads is now on the legal record.
• Possibly more important is not guilty verdicts on the use of GW trademarks and terms on the CHS website.  -While certain CHS products themselves may disappear from the Earth in the aftermath of this case, it looks like the verdict may have provided a clear blueprint for the 3rd party accessory bits market. One that allows legal use of certain GW trademarks and terms in a way that goes way beyond what Nottingham themselves ever wished to allow.