A writer who claims scenes in the Neil Jordan film The Butcher Boy are similar to the content of his own book, The Immaculate Misconception, is suing for infringement of copyright, the High Court heard yesterday.
Séamus O'Mulgreavy, with an address at Mamixstraat, Amsterdam, has brought proceedings against Mr Jordan, of Sorrento Terrace, Dalkey, Dublin, and Warner Brothers Entertainment, USA and UK, the distributor of The Butcher Boy film.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Roderick Murphy ordered Mr O'Mulgreavy to supply more detailed particulars of the alleged infringements in advance of the full hearing for alleged breach of copyright.
In his claim, Mr O'Mulgreavy states he wrote The Immaculate Misconception in 1990.
Mr O'Mulgreavy claims that between 1992 and 1997 the defendants infringed his copyright by producing and distributing The Butcher Boy film, which was released in 1997.
He claims he supplied a copy of his manuscript to Mr Jordan's agent at the time.
He contends that numerous scenes in the film are the same as contained in his work.
Yesterday Jonathan Newman, for Warner Brothers, said he was seeking orders from the court requiring Mr O'Mulgreavy to give more detailed particulars of his claims of infringement so that his clients could properly defend the proceedings.
Requests to date for such particulars had, rather than clarifying anything, created more confusion, Mr Newman said.
Daniel Simms, for Mr O'Mulgreavy, said that as the manuscript had been supplied to Mr Jordan's agent, the defendants were well aware of the nature of the alleged infringements.
It was necessary, when setting out such alleged infringements in advance of a hearing, to give a broad outline of particulars and that had been done, Mr Simms said.
Mr Justice Murphy said he was satisfied Mr O'Mulgreavy should provide particulars in a number of areas required by the defendants.
He also reserved costs of yesterday's application.