It’s a very dangerous time for people who create intellectual property. It’s also a very sexy time. There are more platforms all over the world eager to exploit the creative efforts of writers, producers, directors, creators, talent, and there is more opportunity to have your creation viewed by the largest audiences possible in the shortest time imaginable. The courts have been reluctant to reward lawsuits over copyright infringement in the format business. There are many examples of similar shows in the marketplace, but unless it’s 100% the same, it’s viewed as different and therefore not a copy. If format industry stakeholders can agree to a certain set of industry standards, and if companies large, medium and small can agree on foundational principles of fairness and honesty, the business can perhaps save itself.
If courts can’t effectively combat format theft, perhaps it’s up to us to protect our own.