Settlement Of Bluenose II Copyright Litigation

On March 28, 2014, the Province of Nova Scotia (Province) announced the settlement of copyright and moral rights claims over the restoration of the world-famous schooner replica ship, Bluenose II, a restoration begun in 2009. The Bluenose II was constructed in 1963 based on the plans of William Roué (Roué) and recalls the first such ship, a working fishing schooner which defeated all comers in international racing from its launch in the 1920s (depicted on the Canadian postage stamp below and still found on the Canadian ten-cent coin) through the 1930s. As previously reported by E-TIPS® in 2012, heirs of Roué alleged that the preparation of design plans for the restoration infringed the copyright in Roué’s original plans for the Bluenose and that the reconstruction was highly prejudicial to the honour and reputation of Roué. The Roué heirs sued the Province and several companies involved in the restoration for infringement of copyright and moral rights. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Province will pay the Roué heirs $300,000, including legal fees, and neither the province nor the Roué heirs acknowledge or admit liability. For further information regarding the settlement, see: http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20140328011 Summary by: Lauren Lodenquai