Bournemouth University and Fremantlemedia Ltd. present an ESRC funded
Dissemination Seminar 

“The Exploitation of Television Formats: Intellectual property and non-law
based strategies”

on June 16th, 2009 [1 pm to 2.30 pm] at Fremantlemedia Ltd., UK, 1 Stephen
Street, London, W1T 1AL.

Television formats, such as Pop Idol or Big Brother, are everywhere. They
are one of the fastest growing programme types in a multi-channel media
environment. However, since a series of court decisions during the 1980s and
1990s (Green v Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand, 1988; Norowzian v
Arks, 1998-2000) it is widely accepted that there is no such thing as a
television format right under copyright law. How then could TV formats
become a major export for the UK creative industries? Why pay for a format
if you can re-create it for free?

Researchers from Bournemouth University examined the exploitation strategies
of format developers under the ESRC’s Business Placement Fellow scheme. The
seminar presents the results of (1) an interview based study in the context
of three major international television trade fairs (NATPE, DISCOP and ATF)
and (2) video case studies of the exploitation strategy of three successful
television formats developed by FremantleMedia (Idols, Got Talent and Hole
in the Wall).

The seminar disseminates knowledge regarding the use of legal (e.g.
copyright, trade marks, know-how licences, confidentiality agreements) and
non-legal strategies (e.g. first mover advantage, reputation networks,
regional offices and brand management) in the exploitation and protection of
television formats. It explains how in 2007 the UK became the creator of 49%
of all format hours broadcast worldwide. The seminar also sees the launch of
a good practice learning resource that will be available for use in higher
education and business.

Seminar academics from Bournemouth University include Prof. Martin
Kretschmer, Jonathan Wardle and Sukhpreet Singh.

Attendance is free, but places are restricted to 40 and are available
through bookings only – please contact Emily Cieciura at Bournemouth
University. E-mail: [log in to unmask]

Download the event flyer from http://www.cemp.ac.uk/downloads/TVFormatsESRC.pdf


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