Global Yellow Pages v Promedia & Streetdirectory: Electronic Discovery & Copyright Infringement

In Suits 913 and 914 of 2009, Global Yellow Pages Limited (GYP) sued Promedia Directories Pte Ltd (Promedia) and Streetdirectory Pte Ltd (Streetdirectory) in the High Court of Singapore, alleging copyright infringement. GYP claimed Promedia and Streetdirectory reproduced GYP's directory information without consent. The appeals concerned the decision of the assistant registrar ordering that searches using particular keywords be conducted on various electronic devices. Lee Seiu Kin J dismissed both appeals, with minor variations to the orders.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Appeals dismissed with minor variations to the Assistant Registrar’s orders.

1.3 Case Type

Intellectual Property

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

The High Court addressed electronic discovery in a copyright infringement suit, emphasizing keyword searches and iterative processes for efficiency.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Global Yellow Pages LimitedPlaintiffCorporationAppeals dismissed with variationsPartial
Promedia Directories Pte LtdDefendant, AppellantCorporationAppeal dismissed with variationsLost
Streetdirectory Pte LtdDefendant, AppellantCorporationAppeal dismissed with variationsLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Lee Seiu KinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Karen TeoTSMP Law Corporation
Adeline ChungTSMP Law Corporation
Han Hsien FeiTSMP Law Corporation
G RadakrishnanInfinitus Law Corporation
Zhulkarnain Abdul RahimRodyk & Davidson LLP
Diyanah Binte BaharudinRodyk & Davidson LLP

4. Facts

  1. Global Yellow Pages (GYP) sued Promedia and Streetdirectory for copyright infringement.
  2. GYP alleged Promedia and Streetdirectory reproduced GYP's directory information without consent.
  3. GYP 'planted' fictitious subscriber listings ('Seeds') in its directories to detect copying.
  4. The Assistant Registrar ordered keyword searches on Promedia's and Streetdirectory's electronic devices.
  5. Promedia and Streetdirectory appealed against the keyword search order.
  6. The court dismissed the appeals with minor variations, emphasizing the iterative process of e-discovery.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Global Yellow Pages Limited v Promedia Directories Pte Ltd, Suits Nos 913 and 914 of 2009 (Registrar's Appeals Nos 421 and 422 of 2012), [2013] SGHC 111

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Suits Nos 913 and 914 of 2009 filed
Freddie Tan Poh Chye's affidavit filed in Suit 914
GYP applied for discovery against Promedia and Streetdirectory
Teo Chai Tiam’s affidavit dated
Registrar's Appeals Nos 421 and 422 of 2012
Judgment delivered

7. Legal Issues

  1. Electronic Discovery
    • Outcome: The court dismissed the appeals against the Assistant Registrar's order for keyword searches, emphasizing the importance of an iterative process and balancing accuracy with proportionality.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Keyword searches
      • Iterative process
      • Accuracy of search terms
      • Proportionality of discovery costs
  2. Copyright Infringement
    • Outcome: The court did not make a final determination on copyright infringement, as the appeals concerned procedural aspects of discovery.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Reproduction of copyrighted material
      • Originality of directories
      • Fair dealing defense

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Discovery of electronic documents
  2. Damages for copyright infringement

9. Cause of Actions

  • Copyright Infringement

10. Practice Areas

  • Litigation
  • Intellectual Property Litigation
  • E-Discovery

11. Industries

  • Publishing
  • Technology

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Fermin Aldabe v Standard Chartered BankHigh CourtYes[2009] SGHC 194SingaporeCited for outlining the process of discovery and emphasizing collaboration in good faith regarding electronic documents.
Davies v Eli Lilly & Co and OthersN/AYes[1987] 1 WLR 428N/ACited for the principle that discovery should serve the ends of justice and a fair trial.
Breezeway Overseas Ltd and another v UBS AG and othersN/AYes[2012] 4 SLR 1035SingaporeCited for the tension between justice and efficiency in the discovery process and the use of keyword searches.
Nichia Corporation v Argos LtdN/AYes[2007] Bus LR 1753N/ACited to caution against a 'leave no stone unturned' approach in discovery.
Sanae Achar v Sci-Gen LtdN/AYes[2011] 3 SLR 967SingaporeCited for advocating the use of technology to cope with the volume of discoverable documents.
Gavin Goodale & Ors v The Ministry of Justice & OrsN/AYes[2010] EWHC B40 (QB)England and WalesCited for the observation that parties often do not know how much electronic information they have or where it is.
Robin Duane Littau v Astrata (Asia Pacific) Pte LtdHigh CourtYes[2011] SGHC 61SingaporeCited for the iterative process in determining the relevance of disputed keywords.
Breezeway Overseas Ltd v UBS AGHigh CourtYes[2012] SGHC 41SingaporeCited for recommending an approach to selecting keywords in order to increase the level of accuracy.
Digicel (St. Lucia) Ltd & Ors v Cable & Wireless Plc & OrsN/AYes[2008] EWHC 2522 (Ch)N/ACited for highlighting the potential pitfalls where parties fail to meet for discussion regarding electronic documents.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Copyright Act (Cap 63, 2006 Rev Ed)Singapore
Rules of Court (Cap 322, R 5, 2006 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Electronic discovery
  • Keyword searches
  • Seeds
  • False positives
  • False negatives
  • Iterative process
  • Inclusionary accuracy
  • Exclusionary accuracy
  • E-discovery plan

15.2 Keywords

  • copyright infringement
  • electronic discovery
  • keyword search
  • e-discovery
  • Singapore High Court

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Electronic Discovery85
Copyrights75
Evidence60
Civil Litigation50
Contract Law30

16. Subjects

  • Intellectual Property
  • Copyright
  • Civil Procedure
  • E-Discovery