copyrighting a reality based tv program

P

Paunch

Well-known member
I'm developing an idea/pitch for a reality-type show with a format similar to Orange county choppers, John & Kate, Parking wars etc etc...basically your typical documentary style reality show.

I'd like to protect the idea in case the station doesn't go for it, and we'd like to pitch it to other stations/networks if need be.

Is it even worth copyrighting?
 
i'm pretty sure the creator of survivor had his idea copyrighted...even though everybody and their dog ripped off his idea after. i'd hate to get told no by a network and then see my idea playing in the 10 slot next year.
 
Paunch said:
i'm pretty sure the creator of survivor had his idea copyrighted...even though everybody and their dog ripped off his idea after. i'd hate to get told no by a network and then see my idea playing in the 10 slot next year.
Click to expand...

Ideas cannot be copyrighted, only the tangible expression of the idea. You can't copyright the idea of love story where a rich girl and a poor boy meet on a big boat and fall in love only to be forced apart when the boat hits an iceberg but you can copyright the actual screenplay to "Titanic" as well as the movie made from it. However someone else could tell a similar story, even featuring the ship Titanic, and as long as it wasn't a direct copy of the words and shots it would be perfectly legal. So an idea you pitch for a show is up for grabs, but if you shoot a pilot, that particular program would be protected. You could even copyright the visual aids, powerpoint slides, sketches, and handouts you might use in your pitch but not the idea being pitched.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top