In a years-long battle, Meghan Markle comes out the victor. Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, and MailOnline, recently lost on appeal its three-year court fight against Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, over the Mail on Sunday’s publication of excerpts from a letter written by the duchess to her father, Thomas Markle, in August 2018. Upon publication of the letters, Meghan filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement and invasion of privacy, claiming that her father’s letter was “private and personal.” In February 2021, High Court judge Mr. Justice Warby granted a summary judgment in the duchess’ favor, upholding her claim of invasion of privacy and copyright infringement. A summary judgment implies the judge decided there was no need to go to trial to decide this case.
What will Meghan Markle get?
Under an agreement reached with Britain’s Mail+, the Duchess of Sussex will receive a nominal 1-pound ($1.35) payment for breach of privacy and undisclosed damages for copyright infringement, putting an end to her long-running feud with the tabloid over the publication of a letter she wrote to her father. The duchess said that her three-year legal battle against Associated Newspapers was more about principles than money.
The publisher has also agreed to pay an amount of money that is confidential in damages for copyright infringement. The Mail on Sunday may also be compelled to pay a significant portion of Meghan’s legal fees, which might total more than £1 million (approximately $1.4 million).
Meghan’s spokesperson stated that the court victories proved the merits of both claims and that the financial redress would be based on the Duchess’s entitlement to an accounting of the newspaper’s earnings following her victory. The sum, according to the spokesperson, was large and will be donated to charity.
The Mail outlets have also been ordered not to reveal the identities of five of Meghan’s friends who talked anonymously to People magazine for a 2018 article on the royal as part of the court settlement. The publication had previously attempted to identify the people involved in judicial procedures.
Invasion of Privacy and Copyright Infringement claims
Invasion of privacy and copyright infringement can take many forms. A claim can also be brought where private information could potentially be disclosed and copyrights can be infringed when it is done without consent or without licensing rights. In the event of a scenario like this, it is recommended to get in touch with a legal team to handle your case. Contact The Myers Law Group to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our team.