Copyright Law

Suit of Anarchy

By Andrew Raff, Esq.

Hells Angel meets with network, pitches television show about motorcycle gang. Network passes. Years later, network picks up a show about a motorcycle gang. Lawsuit ensues.

Matthew Belloni, THR, Esq, Ex-Hells Angel Claims FX Stole 'Sons Of Anarchy'
Chuck Zito, who describes himself as the former leader of the New York City Hells Angel chapter and a "radio, television and film personality" (we're not going to argue with him), filed a breach of implied contract lawsuit today claiming that the hit FX drama "Sons of Anarchy" was based on his ideas."

The complaint: Zito v. FX Networks

What makes this story interesting is Sons of Anarchy creator and executive producer Kurt Sutter's comments about creativity, pitches and the idea/expression dichotomy: DOUCHEBAGGERY IS THE GREATEST FORM OF FLATTERY... AGAIN "HAVING THE FUCKING IDEA IS NOT THE SHOW. THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE TV DRAMAS PITCHED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS. NONE OF THEM HAS MADE IT TO SERIES, EXCEPT SOA. BECAUSE THEY SUCKED. The same way there were dozens of mob family pitches before the Sopranos and crime scene pitches before CSI."

Full post as published by IPTAblog on June 16, 2010 (boomark / email).