New Zealand’s rule affirms the connection between copyright and relationship property
In February 2024, the Court of Appeal in New Zealand issued a significant ruling in a copyright dispute between artist Sirpa Elise Alalaakkola and her former husband, Paul Anthony Palmer, regarding paintings created during their marriage. The court confirmed that copyrights generated during a relationship are considered relationship property under New Zealand’s Property (Relationships) Act 1976. Despite a previous High Court ruling granting Palmer joint ownership of the copyrights, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, granting exclusive rights to [...]