Apparently, many of you TV Squad readers out there on the interwebz -- note the z -- are big fan of Disney Channel's Hannah Montana. Don't ask me how I know this ... I just do. For those of you who do not keep up with kid-friendly cable television, the show follows the life of an average teenager (played by Billy Ray Cyrus' daughter Miley) who happens to also live a double life as an international pop star.The show has been a hit for Disney, generating some record-breaking ratings, two profitable music albums and a whole lotta merchandise. However, some people have to be party poopers.
Yesterday, comedy writer Buddy Sheffield filed a lawsuit alleging the Walt Disney Co. stole the idea of Hannah Montana from him without proper compensation.
Sheffield, whose last writing credit was in 1998 for a show called Cheap Theatrix, has filed charges of breach of contract, breach of confidence, unfair competition and unjust enrichment. Translation: show me the money.
According to the lawsuit, the former In Living Color writer pitched a show called Rock and Roland in 2001 about a teen-by-day-star-by-night middle schooler. Sound familiar?
Maybe Disney did rip the idea from this writer, which sometimes happens when studios like the idea and not the people pitching it, but more than likely this is another case of someone trying to make some money.
When something, anything becomes financially successful, people come out of the woodwork to claim partial ownership. Last year two Missouri men claimed that Prison Break was based on their lives. Last month Mark Zuckerberg was sued for stealing the idea and coding for Facebook. Tomorrow I will be sued for stealing this post.
As Notorious B.I.G. said, "Mo' money, mo' problemz" (I added the z).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-24-2007 @ 12:02PM
Oreo said...
Why do they wait until the show is a huge hit to sue? Honestly, three days after getting the biggest ratings in basic cable the guy sues?
If he had a problem with the show he could have sued last year when the show started. Coming out now and wanting money makes him look like an ass trying to get some.
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8-24-2007 @ 12:30PM
edd said...
Varun, expect a call from my lawyerz.
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8-24-2007 @ 2:01PM
artistcalledlife said...
In the mid-90s, I submitted a play to ABC-Disney Fellowship Program. I wasn't selected for the program. This year, while watching "That's So Raven" (another Disney show), I watched the primary concept/storyline for my play in an episode. I was beyond livid!
I found the program guidelines and it stated something to the effect that submitted materials received by Disney may bear some resemblence to existing, new and future concepts/story ideas being developed by Disney writers but wouldn't constitute copyright infringement.
So in a nutshell, Disney was saying "submit your concepts/story ideas/work and if we like it well enough, we'll modify it slightly, use it and reap the benefits if the show is successful. And you can submit another entry the next year, and the next, and the next...(get the picture).
This still bothers me but a friend of mine, a published author, put it in a different light for me. He said that since my work, my concept/storyline had been used, it was a good indicator I actually had what it takes to work in the industry as a writer.
If that's true, I believe a writing credit for the episode my work appeared in is due. Buddy Sheffield is in the industry and can actually wage a fight against a powerhouse like Disney and try to receive financial compensation. I, on the other hand cannot, like most writers trying to get to that level who submit our work to program's like Disney’s.
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8-24-2007 @ 3:07PM
Bash said...
Oh wow. So you submitted material and wondered how on earth somebody could actually use it without naming you?
I guess your work might be good enough for Disney but you lack a bit of life experience if you didn't understand that Disney is evil beforehand.
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8-24-2007 @ 9:16PM
Trina said...
Sorry, Buddy Sheffield - Disney didn't steal the idea from you. They stole the idea from the 80's cartoon Jem. Or you did. Either way, it's not an original concept.
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