JUDGMENT

Justice Arnold:

Introduction

[1] This is the latest in a series of cases in which an individual who has submitted proposals for television game show formats to television broadcasters and/or production companies on a speculative basis subsequently claims that his proposals have been copied in a broadcast programme or series.

[2] In the present case the claimant, Robin Meakin, describes himself as a semi-retired graduate of business operations and manufacturing systems with a background in a number of business sectors including the media. Mr. Meakin alleges that the defendants have infringed his copyright in three proposals entitled respectively Cash Call Millions ... Live! revision 3 ("CML3"), Cash Call Millions ... Live! revision 4 ("CML4"); and Cash Call Challenge ... Live! ("CCL"). Mr. Meakin also alleges that the defendants have used the information contained in his proposals in breach of obligations of confidence.

[3] The principal object of Mr. Meakins complaint is a programme entitled Come and Have a Go ... If You Think You Are Smart Eenough ("CHG" or occasionally "CAHAG"). Two series of six and ten episodes, presented respectively by Nicky Campbell and Julian Clary, were broadcast by the first defendant, the British Broadcasting Corporation, between 4 April 2004 and June 2005. Mr. Meakin also complains about an entry on the BBC website describing CHG.

[4] In addition to those complaints, Mr. Meakin complains about two unrelated games and a television programme said to have been developed and/or marketed by the third defendant, Celador Productions Ltd ("Celador").

[5] As well as the BBC and Celador there are two other defendants. The second defendant, Paul Smith, was at all relevant times the Managing Director of Celador. The fourth defendant, Martin Scott, is an employee of the BBC and an ex-employee of Celador.

[6] Mr. Meakin first complained to the BBC by letter dated 14 July 2004. After intermittent correspondence over the next four years, he commenced these proceedings on 22 July 2008. To date the claims have not progressed very far. This is for a variety of reasons, including the proceedings being stayed for a period (for reasons which it is unnecessary to go into) and the pendency of the applications presently before the court.

[7] Although Mr. Meakin has consulted a number of solicitors and barristers with a view to obtaining legal representation, if possible on a CFA basis, he has not been successful. Presently, as for most of the proceedings, he is acting in person. I have borne that fact in mind in considering the present applications, and I have also taken into account the fact that he suffers from the disadvantage of being somewhat hard of hearing. On the other hand, Mr. Meakin has been able to submit two substantial and detailed witness statements on the present applications and a 45 page skeleton argument replete with references to numerous authorities.

The Applications

[8] There are three applications presently before the court. First, an application by the BBC and Mr. Scott, by application notice dated 5 March 2010, for summary judgment dismissing the claims against both those defendants for copyright infringement, and all claims made against Mr. Scott personally. Secondly, an application by Mr. Smith and Celador, by application notice dated 5 March 2010, for summary judgment dismissing all claims for copyright infringement against those defendants, an order striking out the claims for breach of confidence in relation to the unrelated games and programme, and an order striking out miscellaneous allegations made by Mr. Meakin in a response to a request for further information. The third application is an application by Mr. Meakin, by application notice dated 16 June 2010, for an order for specific disclosure, an order for third party disclosure, for permission to amend his particulars of claim, and finally to strike out certain paragraphs of the defences.

[9] Mr. Meakin subsequently exhibited to his third w