Case Study: Forest Park Pictures V. Universal Television

Law360, New York (July 09, 2012, 2:38 PM ET) — The Second Circuit’s recent decision in
Forest Park Pictures v. Universal Television Network Inc.[1] found that the “Star Wars”
actor Hayden Christensen’s claim for breach of an implied contract was not preempted by
the Copyright Act. Christensen had alleged that the USA Network series “Royal Pains”
used, in breach of their implied contract, the idea he pitched to them for a television show
about a “concierge” doctor to the rich and famous. He had claimed that there was an
implied contract that he would be paid if his pitch was used and that USA Network
breached that contract by failing to pay him for “Royal Pains.” More…