Ian Mill, QC, of Blackstone Chambers, acted for Gloucester Place Music in the High Court, which ruled that members of Duran Duran had breached agreements with the publisher by serving notices to terminate copyright assignments related to the US rights in their first three albums, despite having a right under US law to serve such notices.
What were the main challenges?
It is always a real challenge to construe old agreements that do not expressly provide for a later event. Such disputes occur frequently in music, but this has particular significance as a test case with profound implications for the US publishing industry.
What’s the best decision you’ve taken?
Agreeing to stand as head of chambers, with my friend Tom Beazley, QC; helping to shape Blackstone’s future over seven years has been the highlight of my career.
Who has inspired you?
My pupil-master, Barbara Dohmann, QC. Barbara triumphed against the odds — at the time — as a German woman seeking to make a career at the commercial Bar.
What’s the oddest thing that has happened to you?
I acted for the McLaren Formula One team, which was accused of copying and making use of Ferrari technical documents. Despite having made no use of those documents, the World Motor Sport Council handed out the biggest fine in sporting history — $100 million. Leaving the hearing, Max Mosley, the council’s president, congratulated me, without a hint of irony, on “another forensic triumph”.
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What’s the best advice you’ve received?
When a case settles, the temptation is to panic that there will never be another — my senior clerk repeatedly advises me to “enjoy the moments” when I do not have to work all hours of the day.
Which three qualities should a lawyer have?
For cross-examining, you need to absorb the factual detail, have adaptability, and physical and mental fitness.
What law would you enact?
I acted for the music industry to have regulations introducing the private copying exception quashed because the government had not provided for compensation to rights-holders. Most of us routinely break the law through such anodyne activities as format shifting — I would enact regulations that provide for proper compensation.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who enjoyed sharing great bottles of wine with his friends.