Publisher Takes Legal Action Against ITV and ITN Over Kate’s Farm Shop Video
The Sun newspaper has initiated a High Court legal battle against ITV and ITN concerning the unauthorized use of exclusive video footage that captured the Princess of Wales at a local farm shop. This legal filing, undertaken by News Group Newspapers Limited, was lodged at the Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court on Monday, marking a significant dispute over intellectual property rights.
The footage in question, recorded on March 18, provides a rare glimpse of the Princess, Kate, in a casual setting at the Windsor Farm Shop, situated near her residence at Adelaide Cottage. It depicts a relaxed moment where she, dressed in a black jacket and leggings and with her hair down, is seen conversing with Prince William and carrying a large white bag. This video is particularly noteworthy as it showed Kate in public for the first time following her surgery in January, during a period when she had temporarily stepped back from her royal duties.
A spokeswoman for ITV and ITN responded to the legal challenge, stating: “ITV and ITN will strongly resist this claim.” The stance indicates a brewing legal showdown that could have implications for media rights and the use of exclusive content by broadcasters, reported by The Independent.
The significance of this video is heightened by recent events surrounding Kate’s health. On March 22, shortly after the video was captured, she revealed that cancer was discovered during post-operative tests, and she is currently undergoing chemotherapy. This announcement followed a period of intense public and media speculation about her health, fueled in part by her absence from public engagements and the controversy over a digitally altered Mother’s Day image of her with her children, which was later retracted by various agencies due to manipulation concerns.
This legal action comes at a time when Kate’s public profile is particularly sensitive. Just a day after the legal filing, the princess was honored as a Royal Companion of The Order of the Companions of Honour by the King, in recognition of her public service and support for the arts.
The case underscores ongoing tensions between public figures and media outlets over the control and use of images that depict their private moments. As the proceedings unfold, they are set to test the boundaries of copyright law in the context of modern media consumption and celebrity coverage.