‘Who is Gazza?’ asked Mr Justice Harman in the High Court in September 1990. The judge was hearing an application from Paul Gascoigne Ltd for an injunction against Penguin Books’ impending Gazza, an ‘unauthorized biography’ by Robin McGibbon. The argument for the plaintiff was that the name ‘Gazza’ had been trademarked and that McGibbon was in breach of copyright.
‘Paul Gascoigne is a very well-known footballer,’ explained Michael Silverleaf, Gazza’s counsel.
‘Rugby or Association football?’ asked the judge.
To read this in full, take out a subscription to Granta. Over forty years of new writing at your fingertips – subscribe now.
Sign in to Granta.com.
