Midlands match tackle giant Preston Innovations has won a two-year legal battle with Ultimate Angling Limited over copying some of its range.

A judge found that Ultimate Angling had copied critical features of the Off Box range of seat box accessories. The verdict has led to an outright ban on sales of Ultimate’s existing Twist And Turn products.

The case, which is believed to have racked up legal fees of £250,000, lasted three days before the defendants withdrew and conceded the outcome and shared liability. Sitting in the Patents Court in London, Justice Norris ordered Ultimate Angling director Brynley Ilsley and general manager Sebastian Blow to make a down-payment of £100,000 while costs and damages are assessed.
Ultimate was also ordered to publicise the judgement on its website at www.ultimate-direct.co.uk . Preston Innovations director Sarah Phoenix said it was the best outcome they could have hoped for.