Amphibious boatbuilder Sealegs International has lost its long-running copyright battle to rivals Orion Marine and Smuggler Marine after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal application.

Sealegs had sought leave to appeal a decision of the Appeal Court, which in August ruled in favour of Orion and Smuggler. The decision has provided certainty that the litigation can not progress any further.

The legal battle followed Sealegs’ successful application for an injunction against Orion and Smuggler in December 2016 over claims they had breached Sealeg’s copyright for a three-legged amphibious vessel system.

The four companies subjected to injunction by Sealegs – Orion, Smuggler, Stryda Marine and a Chinese company linked to Orion’s owner – would all be pursuing damages claims.