Uncategorized

Judge Tosses Copyright Case Against Netflix and Goldin Auctions

Providing relief for streaming giant Netflix and Goldin Auctions was a recent ruling by a federal judge. This decision blanketed Netflix, Goldin Auctions, and the reality TV series “King of Collectibles” with a sense of invulnerability against a copyright infringement lawsuit. The plaintiff was former “Survivor” contestant, Gervase Peterson who claimed that a potentially bankable concept he pitched wasn’t just ignored but developed into the said show without him.

Peterson felt a bitter twinge of déjà vu when he observed the striking commonalities between his baby, a conceptual pitch named “The Goldin Boys,” and the “King of Collectibles.” It’s no wonder he was irate. After all, this was a concept he had proposed to the founder of Goldin Auctions, Ken Goldin, in the sunny year of 2019. The line of communication was severed in 2020, and soon after, Wheelhouse Entertainment began building a similar project. Wouldn’t we all feel a touch aggrieved?

However, the defense held strong, arguing that the TV series – a narrative around the Goldin Auctions’ functioning combined with Ken Goldin’s personal life experiences – was merely a tapestry of generic, unprotectable ideas within the Copyright Act’s perimeters.

Backing this interpretation was Judge Christine O’Hearn from the New Jersey federal district court. She emphasized that Peterson’s claimed protectable components are in reality scènes à faire – a legal holy grail referring to certain aspects of a work considered traditional or indispensable to the particular genre, and hence not liable for copyright protection. The bread and butter of reality television — the day-to-day hustle of business operations, as portrayed in “King of Collectibles” — exemplify this category, O’Hearn explained.

Judge O’Hearn further pointed out that reality-show staples — real-life narratives and commonplace elements — typically don’t meet the threshold of copyright protection. She used past legal precedents as reference points, where similar lawsuits met with the same outcome.

So, apart from smoothening any crinkles in Peterson’s allegations, O’Hearn’s ruling illuminated a much broader issue: the inherent difficulty in earmarking broad, often used concepts in reality television for copyright safeguards. It’s a complex battlefield with no clear guidelines as to what constitutes infringement and what falls under the umbrella of generic themes and scenarios.

Despite the controversy, “King of Collectibles” has emerged unscathed- legally and otherwise. The show not only conquered this legal Goliath but has also gained recognition in the cutthroat entertainment world, garnering a coveted Emmy award nomination recently. Legal battles aside, surely, that’s one golden feather in their cap!

Source

Related Posts

Shota Imanaga’s Card Fetches $82K at Auction, Sparks Collector Frenzy

Shota Imanaga, a name synonymous with both pitching prowess and newfound notoriety in the sports collectible world, has once again captivated audiences—not just on the baseball diamond, but…

Shota Imanaga Rookie Card Smashes Expectations in Auction Sale

In an arena where inked names on cardboard provoke heartbeats and heavy bids, Shota Imanaga has stepped up not just on the mound, but into the minds of…

PSA and Burbank Team Up to Revolutionize Collector Experience

In a landmark collaboration set to reshape the trading card landscape, two giants of the industry, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and Burbank Sportscards, have teamed up to offer…

PSA and Burbank Sportscards Launch Revolutionary Grading Retail Hub

In the ever-evolving world of trading card collecting, two industry juggernauts are plotting a groundbreaking course, transforming not only how we buy and trade but how we experience…

Tom Brady Debuts Trading Card Store in Exclusive East Hampton

\ Amid the luxurious humdrum of East Hampton, where people usually saunter between beach homes and gourmet restaurants, a distinct buzz cut through the misty air last Thursday….

Tom Brady’s East Hampton Card Store Blends Sports & High Society

While many know Tom Brady as the quarterback who defied the odds with seven Super Bowl victories, few could have predicted his next play might land him in…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *