Sky has won a High Court case after it was accused of format infringement over talent format Must Be The Music.

The pay-TV broadcaster saw off legal action from Waif Productions co-founders Brian Wade and Geraldine Perry earlier today, following legal proceedings which got underway last month.

The pair claimed to have come up with the idea for a talent format, The Real Deal, featuring original compositions rather than cover versions, with a judging panel of songwriters, as well as making chart-eligible downloads available after each episode.

However, Mr Justice Birss found in favour of Sky and concluded that the format was independently created. 

In a summing up statement he said: “Sky’s evidence was cogent and taken as a whole presented a clear and persuasive picture…  I find that Must Be The Music was created entirely independently of The Real Deal.”

“We’re pleased that the court has found that Must Be The Music was independently created, as we have maintained throughout,” said a Sky spokesman.

“Our editorial integrity is fundamentally important to us, as is the trust that independent producers place in Sky as a broadcaster. We will always defend ourselves vigorously against wrongful claims of improper behaviour.”

Must Be The Music ran for one series in 2010. It was produced by Shine-owned Princess Productions but the indie was not named in the action.

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