Attorney-General v Guardian Newspapers Ltd (No 2) 1 AC 109 is a UK copyright law and English trusts law case, concerning the confidentiality, profits and copyrights. It established that there can be an injunction and an award of monetary compensation or an account of profits.
Facts A book was written by an MI5 agent which disclosed secrets belonging to the agency. The publication of the book in the UK would breach the Official Secrets Act 1911 (UK), so instead, it was published in the United States. The Guardian wanted to write about what the book was about.
Judgment Lord Goff stated that "the copyright in the book, including the film rights, are held by him on constructive trust for the confider". 1 AC 109, 288
See also
English trust law
Notes
References