The founders behind Bongo’s Bingo have won a landmark legal case, following support from regional law firm Napthens.
Jonny Lacey, otherwise known as Jonny Bongo, and Joshua Burke were judged to be the creators of the Bongo’s Bingo concept and to own the intellectual rights to the brand, following a dispute with his former employer.
The case, heard at Manchester High Court, revolved around a dispute between Jonny, Josh and the Bongo’s Bingo company Shua Ltd and Liverpool venue Camp & Furnace, where the original events were held.
After a process lasting close to a year, and an eight day trial, the judge ruled conclusively that Jonny Lacey and Joshua Burke own the concept, started the concept and are the creative force behind the concept, stating that this was “overwhelmingly clear.”
In a statement, Jonny and Josh say: “We are thrilled to have won this case unequivocally, with the judge agreeing that, on the basis of the evidence presented, we are the founders of Bongo’s Bingo and we created it from the very start. Camp and Furnace played no part whatsoever in this process and was simply a venue which housed the show we created in Liverpool.
“We want to say huge thanks to our legal team who took us step by step through this process with their diligence, professionalism and discretion. We thank everyone for helping us through this, for believing us and for never doubting us.”
Bongo’s Bingo, which runs nightclub inspired bingo events across the UK and internationally, was represented by Napthens’ commercial litigation team headed up by partner, John Whittingslow and Barristers Paul Chaisty QC and Andrew Grantham.
John Whittingslow said: “The legal arguments that we submitted with Jonny and his business partner Josh proved that they were the co-founders of the brand, which was entirely conceived and designed by those two, and as a result they own full commercial rights.
“It was the perfect combination of Jonny’s creative genius and Josh’s business acumen which led to the growth from creation to an original one venue event and into an internationally successful business and the judge’s verdict will now allow them to grow the company even further. Napthens looks forward to providing continuing support to the guys on what is already a very exciting story which Liverpool is rightfully very proud of.”
For more information on Napthens see the website.
