Dating game shows not copyrightable

A popular dating game show in the Philippines was aired from 1970 to 1977. While it was being aired, the corporation that owned the show submitted a certificate of copyright for the show’s format and style of presentation.

Sometime in 1991, the president of the corporation stumbled across a new dating show while he was watching television. To his surprise, the dating show was practically identical to the dating game show aired by the corporation years ago. He immediately wrote the producers of the new dating show informing them of the corporation’s copyright and demanded that the show discontinue airing. The producers apologized and requested a meeting to discuss a possible settlement but continued to air the show. Another demand letter to discontinue the show was sent, to no avail. Hence, the corporation filed a case for copyright infringement, alleging substantial similarities in the content and execution of both shows in violation of intellectual property law—[t]he substance of the television productions complainant’s Rhoda and Me and Zosa’s It’s a Date is that two matches are made between a male and a female, both single, and the two couples are treated to a night or two of dining and/or dancing at the expense of the show. The major concept of both shows is the same. Any difference appear mere variations of the major concepts.