Drinks Company Faces High Court Copyright Claim Over Glamping Cabin Image

A drinks company admitted using a photograph of a glamping cabin to promote a competition without the owners' permission. The owners of the Magic Mushroom Cabin in Dodford, Northamptonshire, filed a copyright claim earlier this year. They allege the image, taken by one owner in 2017, appeared on the company's competitions page, an Amazon store listing, and in online and in-store advertising.

In court documents, the company acknowledged the photo's use but disputed the owners' copyright ownership and denied that permission was required. It also rejected claims that the use caused lost bookings or entitled the owners to the damages sought. The company further stated there is no evidence linking any competition profits to the photograph and denied that any infringement was flagrant.

The cabin owners' barrister previously said the pair should receive around £6,500 in lost profits plus a licensing fee. The company countered that no causal link exists between its actions and any alleged losses. The company is based in Hemel Hempstead and holds an exclusive UK licence with a U.S. partner to produce several beverage brands. A hearing date has not been set.