Mother loses copyright appeal

A mother of five yesterday lost her Supreme Court appeal against a decision rejecting her copyright claim over a 1960s recording…

A mother of five yesterday lost her Supreme Court appeal against a decision rejecting her copyright claim over a 1960s recording which featured her reciting a popular Bible story.

Mrs Patricia Gormley The Close, Melrose Park, Swords, Co Dublin, had sued EMI Records (Ireland) Ltd. In July 1997 the High Court turned down her claim but she appealed to the Supreme Court.

Mrs Gormley claimed the recording of her recitation of how Jesus formed the Twelve Apostles, which was recorded on tape by her late teacher, Mrs Margaret Cunningham, at Rutland National School in 196162, was made without her permission.

She sought damages for alleged breach of copyright.