On 11/02/07, George Wright <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> "Rights to the format" means what, exactely? some (random ish) links
Maybe this is a bit of a Rorschach effect, but these all seem to prop up my view that 'format rights' is hand waving.
http://www.wragge.com/publications/hottopics/default_1661.html
"If a format has distinct and original features and is recorded on paper in detail, with every angle of the format being covered and thoroughly documented, then the chance of being able to protect the format through the copyright subsisting in these documents is much better." As developers of software well know, copyright does not prevent copycats who made their own from scratch.
http://www.ifla.tv/protectyourformat.html
"There is no statutory protection for television formats in any country that we know of." This also centers on copyrights, as above.
http://www.legalday.co.uk/lexnex/simkins03/simkinsq303/simkins050803.htm
"The laws of copyright, passing off, and confidence may all be relevant." Additionally, this page is seminar snake oil :-)
> I can imagine "Desert Island Discs" might be a trademark. But I don't > think the format can be copyrighted, Some lawyers may disagree with you (not necessarily about whether DID is copyrightable or not, but about whether 'formats' can be 'protected' in law.)
Based on those links, it sounds like all the case law is in my favour. Tom, what kind of ninja lawyers does the Estate of Roy Plumley employ? :-) -- Regards, Dave - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
