Top Court nixes 'Ghost' copyright situation

The Top Court rejected to wade right into a lengthy-running dispute over who emerged using the idea for that series "Ghost Predators." On Monday, our prime court refused a petition filed by Pilgrim Films, NBCUniversal, Craig Piligian, Jason Conrad Hawes and Universal Television Systems to listen to the situation. Parapsychologist Ray Montz and publicist-producer Deanna Smoller stated that "Ghost Predators" was rebranded from ideas and ideas they pitched to NBC and it is brother or sister Syfy funnel cabler from 1996 to 2003. In May, the ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that despite the fact that Montz and Smoller's copyright claim have been ignored, they might still pursue a condition-law claim for breach of implied contract and breach of confidence. Pilgrim, NBCU along with other accused contended that federal copyright law preempted individuals claims, which the ninth Circuit's decision conflicted along with other appellate choices. In the decision, the ninth Circuit stated the breach of implied contract and breach of confidence claims were outside of copyright claims. "Without such legal protection, potentially valuable creative sources would have hardly any protection inside a dog-eat-dog business," a legal court stated. The situation now heads to the district court fro trial. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com