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August 12, 2005
Your "Million Dollar Idea" Is My Million Dollar Idea
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This week's IP follies continue with Marty Schwimmer's coverage of the battle over who owns the million-dollar idea of creating a TV show about pitching million-dollar ideas:
February 20, 2003: Alleged date of first use for MILLION DOLLAR IDEA in relation to product and invention evaluation services, and entertainment services ('low-power' TV show), by Roaring Entertainment.
March 2004: Roaring pitches Andrea Wong, head of reality programming at ABC.
July 2005: ABC announces 'Million Dollar Idea', to be produced by Simon Cowell and Peter Jones, with quote from Andrea Wong:
"Simon and Peter have conceived a fantastic show," said Andrea Wong, executive vice president, Alternative Programming, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment. "Somebody out there has thought of the next Post-it Note or Starbucks, but they don't have the means to actually make it happen. It's going to be thrilling to find that person and make his or her dream a reality."
August 2005: Coverage of lawsuit by Roaring Entertainment against producers of show.
If someone wrote a work of fiction where a TV network allegedly steals the idea for an idea submission show, the critics would say that the satire was heavy-handed.
Comments (3)
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1. Emily Johnson on August 16, 2005 2:22 PM writes...
To ABC Television Network, Simon Cowell, Freemantlemedia North America,
I would like to express my shock in your recent decision to steal the TV brand and franchise "Million Dollar Idea®". Imitation is not an act of flattery – and we protest the actions of a large corporation stealing from the “little guy” in order to profit from another person’s dreams and hard work.
I will not support a network that does not support the American Dream and tramples it instead!
With deep disappointment,
Permalink to CommentEmily Johnson and family
2. john baxter on August 16, 2005 2:26 PM writes...
I think it is appauling that Simon/ABC would infringe on copy right and try to duplicate an existing show. Shame on Simon and ABC/Disney for trying to run over the two original inventors from Minneapolis
Permalink to Comment3. Dedan Kimathi Ji Jaga on August 20, 2005 2:16 PM writes...
I would think that a corporation such as ABC and its affiliates would eagerly embrace and cultivate a program of this nature in the most legitimate of ways. It is sad if ABC is indeed guilty of strong-arm concept-jacking in the manner detailed in thus communication.
Permalink to CommentMy first question is seeking to find out what the current status of the program is. Will it be presented in its existing form or facilitated by ABC. And can anybody apply with their "Million Dollar Idea".