Chancery Division (England)

University of London Press Ltd v University Tutorial Press Ltd

[1916] 2 Ch 60119161 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
The defendants published examination papers set for the University of London, with criticism and answers. The plaintiffs claimed copyright in the papers.
Issue
Whether examination papers are original literary works.
Held
The papers were original literary works. 'Original' means the work originates from the author and is not copied; it need not be novel. The examiners' skill and judgment in setting the questions was enough.
Principle
Originality in copyright means origination from the author, not novelty.
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Facts

  • The defendants published examination papers set for the University of London, with criticism and answers. The plaintiffs claimed copyright in the papers.

Issue

  1. Whether examination papers are original literary works.

Held

  • The papers were original literary works. 'Original' means the work originates from the author and is not copied; it need not be novel. The examiners' skill and judgment in setting the questions was enough.

Cite this

Citation

University of London Press Ltd v University Tutorial Press Ltd [1916] 2 Ch 601

Reported: https://www.cipil.law.cam.ac.uk/virtual-museum/university-london-press-v-university-tutorial-1916-2-ch-601 (English case; not on IK or SCI). This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.