Verdict No. 5 · Saturday, November 7, 2026

The five rulings

What the courts decided.

Oscar Wilde's portrait

1Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. SaronyUS Supreme Court, 1884

2Burrow-Giles v. Sarony (1884): The Court upheld copyright in photographs, finding the pose, lighting, and costume reflected the author's original ideas.

The steam trams

1Derry v PeekHouse of Lords, 1889

2Derry v Peek (1889): The Lords held fraud requires a statement made without honest belief, so careless but honest directors weren't liable.

Rockefeller's oil empire

1Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United StatesUS Supreme Court, 1911

2Standard Oil v. United States (1911): The Court held the company illegally monopolized the industry and ordered it split up, while adopting a 'rule of reason.'

Real advocaat

1Erven Warnink BV v J Townend & Sons (Hull) LtdHouse of Lords, 1979

2Erven Warnink v Townend (1979): The Lords held a group of traders can protect a name for a distinct product type, extending passing off.

The CEO and the rats

1United States v. ParkUS Supreme Court, 1975

2United States v. Park (1975): The Court held a corporate officer with responsibility and authority can be criminally liable for food safety violations, even without personal fault.

Five new cases every day at midnight.

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