BEXLEY: Writer will appeal copyright ruling

3:02pm Monday 7th July 2008

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A film-maker plans to appeal after failing in a £16m copyright infringement case.

Elizabeth Obisanya, of Tawney Road, Thamesmead, wrote the screenplay for a short film called Cashback Paper or Plastic, set in a supermarket, in 2002.

Since then writer and director Sean Ellis has released an award-winning short film called Cashback, made in 2004, and a feature-length version.

Ms Obisanya, 39, claimed because her film shares the same title as Mr Ellis' and both films are romantic comedies, there was a case for copyright infringement.

But at a hearing at the High Court on June 9, it was ruled there were no similarities between Ms Obisanya's short film and Mr Ellis's.

She was ordered to pay £10,000 costs and an order was issued preventing her from claiming Mr Ellis had infringed her work.

Ms Obisanya says she now plans to appeal.