Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Massachusetts

What can you do when you know your tv idea was stolen

My original television idea was stolen. I pitched the idea to, lets just say, a television icon. Actually, to this person's executive producer. She asked me to fax a copy of the synopsis and breakdown of episodes, which I did. I have the documentation of when it was created, when it was printed, when it was faxed (with phone records, etc). This person came out with a press release this week announcing that she is producing my show. They made some very slight changes...I mean, very slight. The Producer who claims she had a hand in creating it is the one who directly received my pitch. They got my concept 18 months ago and have ever since, expressed to me that they have sent a pass leter, however I've never received it.


Asked on 12/16/06, 11:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lawrence Graves Coolidge & Graves PLLC

Re: What can you do when you know your tv idea was stolen

Yes, by all means bring all your documents to a lawyer for analysis. Although this kind of case has its challenges, largely because so many of them are bogus shake-down attempts, there have been notable successes (e.g., where Disney was called on the carpet for taking a business plan for a resort and used it, and the executives actually had the "pitched" plan and followed it closely).

Best wishes,

LDWG

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Answered on 12/18/06, 8:25 am


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