Shame your punchlines didn't work better on Vladimir Klitscho
Pinched ideas? Page 6
Quote: sootyj @ July 5 2011, 7:14 AM BSTShame your punchlines didn't work better on Vladimir Klitscho
You say you've put the script in a sealed envelope, you need to post it to yourself using the Special Delivery service but don't open it when you receive it. Put the name of the sitcom on the back of the envelope. If the sitcom when televised has used any of your stuff, you can take the spec del letter/packet to a solicitor, for them to open in front of you and then see what can be done. I doubt they'd use any of your lines though but maybe the story lines will be the same.
No longer works, they'll claim you mailed an empty envelope to yourself and then sealed it.
Maybe I dunno e-mail it to yourself as a pasted document, that's pretty untouchable.
Main thing is most of the time you're not selling your script, you're selling you self. And hoping they invest in you as a writer.
If you are determined to have some sort of time-stamped copy of your stuff (much good may it do you), wouldn't one of these on-line file storage things provide proof of when something was logged?
There was an issue of plaigarism I accidentally stumbled on in this thread between George Cotter and Matt Price:
Quote: sootyj @ July 5 2011, 8:11 AM BSTNo longer works, they'll claim you mailed an empty envelope to yourself and then sealed it.
Maybe I dunno e-mail it to yourself as a pasted document, that's pretty untouchable.
Main thing is most of the time you're not selling your script, you're selling you self. And hoping they invest in you as a writer.
You put your signature all across the 'seal' half on the envelope and half on the flap. Do your signature a few times. And ask the post office to datestamp across the flap/envelope
Quote: John Owen Jones @ July 5 2011, 9:26 AM BSTThere was an issue of plaigarism I accidentally stumbled on in this thread between George Cotter and Matt Price:
I couldn't see where George had laid claim to that Fish joke.
Is there another link.
PS was George Cottier on here recently sticking up for James Cotter?
He didn't stay long but the name sounds familiar.
Quote: David Bussell @ June 30 2011, 8:15 AM BSTYou're making way too much of this, gythaogg - the only similarity between your pitch and the Sky One pitch is that they're both set in supermarkets (besides the tenuous Victoria Wood connection). As other posters have pointed out already, a supermarket isn't a novel location to set a sitcom in the first place, so grasping at that straw is a little nutty. Wait until it shows up on TV, I'm betting your scripts are nowhere to be seen.
QFT. There is nothing in the Sky 1 thing that suggests there is any more similarity than a location. It's not implausible someone else would come up with the same setting independantly, and as has been mentioned, I can think of at least one sitcom from the past that could be described in exactly the same way. The premise would have to be significantly more idiosyncratic for this to be worth any of your time.
Further to this, as has been said, don't bin the scripts. Save them, use them for something else. Maybe the Sky1 show will die on its arse.
Ultimately, the concept isn't the important thing. The script is. People are interested in writers who can do funny lines, not nicking ideas. Don't worry so much about the concept, worry about the characters and the jokes.
Quote: Chappers @ June 30 2011, 10:28 PM BSTThe Holy Blood and the Holy Grail.
The odd thing about the Da Vinci code 'plagiarism' is that it lifted heavily from that book and one of its authors names(Baignet) is an anagram of the DVC villain Teabing (a very silly name that isn't actually real, surely)...
And he was found innocent.
Quote: Antrax @ July 5 2011, 12:24 PM BSTFurther to this, as has been said, don't bin the scripts. Save them, use them for something else. Maybe the Sky1 show will die on its arse.
Always a good pitch, that.
"It's a bit like that Sky1 thing that died on it's arse"
Quote: Lazzard @ July 5 2011, 12:55 PM BSTAlways a good pitch, that.
"It's a bit like that Sky1 thing that died on it's arse"
True!
Although as with good sitcoms, it isn't about the idea...
Quote: bushbaby @ July 5 2011, 9:28 AM BSTYou put your signature all across the 'seal' half on the envelope and half on the flap. Do your signature a few times. And ask the post office to datestamp across the flap/envelope
Have you taken legal advice on this, BB?
Quote: Ben @ July 5 2011, 6:29 PM BSTHave you taken legal advice on this, BB?
It maybe that its old fashioned now but it was advised to me some years back. [I think from a publisher] But as someone suggested, maybe putting the scripts on line now or emailing them to oneself [then put it in a folder] is the new way to go. Special Delivery was possibly the best way to secure your work then.
Does anyone have examples of any British TV shows that have been successfully sued for plagiarism? Not neccessarily sitcoms, even an individual sketch or just a one-liner. May give an indication of how "clear and present a danger" this is.
Nothing "important to remember" this time, Marc! 
Quote: John Owen Jones @ July 5 2011, 9:26 AM BSTGeorge Cotter.
It's George Cottier.