This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-48379921
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Wanderers badge claimant 'cannot pay' fees | Wolverhampton Wanderers badge claimant 'cannot pay' fees |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A football fan who claimed to have designed his club's badge says he faces bankruptcy after losing a legal battle over the design. | A football fan who claimed to have designed his club's badge says he faces bankruptcy after losing a legal battle over the design. |
| Peter Davies, 72, said he submitted his version of the Wolverhampton Wanderers emblem for a competition in the 1960s. | |
| His case was thrown out after he was unable to prove the design was copied, and Mr Davies was ordered to pay the club £250,000 by 29 May. | His case was thrown out after he was unable to prove the design was copied, and Mr Davies was ordered to pay the club £250,000 by 29 May. |
| He said he has "no assets" and "obviously can't pay" the legal fees. | He said he has "no assets" and "obviously can't pay" the legal fees. |
| "I don't own anything," he said. "I've got a television and these bits of furniture in the house, about £600 in the bank - that's all I own." | "I don't own anything," he said. "I've got a television and these bits of furniture in the house, about £600 in the bank - that's all I own." |
| Mr Davies, who rents a house in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, told the BBC he "really expected to win" and cried in court at the ruling. | Mr Davies, who rents a house in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, told the BBC he "really expected to win" and cried in court at the ruling. |
| He was represented by "no-win no-fee" law firm Keystone Law Limited. | He was represented by "no-win no-fee" law firm Keystone Law Limited. |
| It declined to comment when approached by the BBC, but Mr Davies said he had been informed of the risks if the case went against him. | |
| John Linneker, a copyright expert, said it was an "awful situation" and hoped a compromise could be reached. | John Linneker, a copyright expert, said it was an "awful situation" and hoped a compromise could be reached. |
| "The legal rules on paying costs are really harsh," he said. | "The legal rules on paying costs are really harsh," he said. |
| "Individuals like Mr Davies rarely come before the High Court because if they lose and crash and burn they're left with a tonne of money to pay because the loser has to pay the winner's costs." | "Individuals like Mr Davies rarely come before the High Court because if they lose and crash and burn they're left with a tonne of money to pay because the loser has to pay the winner's costs." |
| Although the designs "do look similar", Mr Linneker said a key component was to prove whether one was copied - something Mr Davies admitted he was unable to do. | Although the designs "do look similar", Mr Linneker said a key component was to prove whether one was copied - something Mr Davies admitted he was unable to do. |
| "I do hope a compromise can be achieved," he said. "It's not a good look for Wolves if they're attempting to bankrupt one of their fans." | "I do hope a compromise can be achieved," he said. "It's not a good look for Wolves if they're attempting to bankrupt one of their fans." |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers declined a request for comment. | Wolverhampton Wanderers declined a request for comment. |
| Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |