TBS sues ABC over "Wipeout"

Tokyograph News · 10-07-2008, 07:14 AM

TBS has announced that it is suing American broadcaster ABC, claiming that the show "Wipeout" infringes on the copyrights of several Japanese programs. TBS is seeking an end to the show along with monetary damages, though a specific amount is still to be determined.

ABC premiered "Wipeout" in June, and its success in the ratings has earned it a renewal for another season. The show puts contestants through a challenging obstacle course, similar to TBS shows such as "Takeshi's Castle" in the '80s and the still-running "SASUKE."

Indeed, TBS claims that the show is too similar, citing infringement in several aspects, including specific obstacles, the show's format, scene setups, and dialogue. The lawsuit also accuses ABC of capitalizing on search terms such as "MXC," which is Spike TV's licensed version of "Takeshi's Castle."

TBS is reportedly in the process of filing a separate lawsuit against Endemol USA, the production company behind "Wipeout."

Link to article

10-07-2008, 10:56 PM

for some reason i find this hilarious.
i knew this was going to happen lol
that show has got to be one of the stupidest things i have seen in my life...

10-08-2008, 01:08 AM

WOW that's awesome. I always hated that show. Hopefully ABC can make a deal to pick up a Japanese game show to air on American TV with subs or something. Well, that's just a dream

10-08-2008, 11:04 PM

the united states needs more shows like this actually more like takeshi's castle so ABC should not be sued for filling an empty void.

llorenn · 10-09-2008, 05:06 AM

They shouldn't be suing just because a show is similar, if that were the case every damn show on nearly all networks around the world would get sued eventually. Nothing's really ever original. Just because they both have an obstacle course doesn't mean anything, there's been shows on American Television with challenging obstacle courses and things like that long before wipeout. I still think wipeout and all those Japanese shows are really stupid and I don't understand how anybody finds them entertaining but still, it's a dumb lawsuit.

**migimaru** · 10-09-2008, 06:19 AM

According to the lawsuit, it's not just that the show is similar, but that many aspects of it are basically identical.

I haven't seen any of the "Wipeout" episodes though, so I don't know how true it is.

10-07-2008, 07:14 AM	#1
Tokyograph News Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 11	TBS sues ABC over "Wipeout" TBS has announced that it is suing American broadcaster ABC, claiming that the show "Wipeout" infringes on the copyrights of several Japanese programs. TBS is seeking an end to the show along with monetary damages, though a specific amount is still to be determined. ABC premiered "Wipeout" in June, and its success in the ratings has earned it a renewal for another season. The show puts contestants through a challenging obstacle course, similar to TBS shows such as "Takeshi's Castle" in the '80s and the still-running "SASUKE." Indeed, TBS claims that the show is too similar, citing infringement in several aspects, including specific obstacles, the show's format, scene setups, and dialogue. The lawsuit also accuses ABC of capitalizing on search terms such as "MXC," which is Spike TV's licensed version of "Takeshi's Castle." TBS is reportedly in the process of filing a separate lawsuit against Endemol USA, the production company behind "Wipeout." Link to article

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10-07-2008, 10:56 PM	#2
Unregistered Posts: n/a	for some reason i find this hilarious. i knew this was going to happen lol that show has got to be one of the stupidest things i have seen in my life...

10-08-2008, 01:08 AM	#3
Unregistered Posts: n/a	WOW that's awesome. I always hated that show. Hopefully ABC can make a deal to pick up a Japanese game show to air on American TV with subs or something. Well, that's just a dream

10-08-2008, 11:04 PM	#4
Unregistered Posts: n/a	the united states needs more shows like this actually more like takeshi's castle so ABC should not be sued for filling an empty void.

10-09-2008, 05:06 AM	#5
llorenn Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 17	They shouldn't be suing just because a show is similar, if that were the case every damn show on nearly all networks around the world would get sued eventually. Nothing's really ever original. Just because they both have an obstacle course doesn't mean anything, there's been shows on American Television with challenging obstacle courses and things like that long before wipeout. I still think wipeout and all those Japanese shows are really stupid and I don't understand how anybody finds them entertaining but still, it's a dumb lawsuit.

10-09-2008, 06:19 AM	#6
migimaru ミギ丸 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 736	According to the lawsuit, it's not just that the show is similar, but that many aspects of it are basically identical. I haven't seen any of the "Wipeout" episodes though, so I don't know how true it is.