Lathrop & Gage partner David Aronoff (Intellectual Property – Los Angeles) won a significant victory for defendants ABC television and producer Stuart Krasnow in Los Angeles Superior Court last week when Judge David L. Minning ruled in favor of defendants on their motion seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed by plaintiff Mike Ousley, who had alleged that both ABC’s television show National Bingo Night and the Game Show Network’s (GSN’s) Bingo America were based on his idea for a proposed show to be known as TV Bingo.

In ruling that Ousley’s claims against ABC and Krasnow are without merit, Judge Minning found that Ousley had entered into no enforceable contract or other business relationship with ABC or Krasnow with regard to his proposal for TV Bingo. The court additionally noted, among other things, that Ousley’s TV Bingo idea was neither confidential nor novel, and that no evidence existed that it had been submitted by Ousley for sale to ABC or Krasnow.

“We’re very pleased with the Judge’s ruling," said Mr. Aronoff, who has over 20 years experience litigating business and intellectual property cases in state and federal court, including entertainment and media matters. "Just as the Court found, Plaintiff’s claims were supported by neither the law nor the facts. The dismissal of this lawsuit as to all defendants is a vindication of both my clients’ shows and their conduct.” 

ABC’s National Bingo Night was created and produced by TV producer Andrew Glassman and six episodes aired on ABC in 2007. In addition, Glassman also produces Bingo America, which has been featured on GSN since 2008. When Ousley initially filed this lawsuit, GSN and Glassman were also named as defendants. However, Mr. Aronoff secured the dismissal of Ousley’s claims against GSN and Glassman in May 2009.

Mr. Aronoff has represented and advised numerous business entities – including motion picture and television studios, production companies, video game publishers and developers, and advertising agencies – in a wide variety of disputes, many involving copyright, trademark, right of publicity, and idea submission matters. He has handled numerous claims concerning popular movies, such as Along Came Polly, There’s Something About Mary, and The Mask of Zorro, and TV shows, including TODAY, Average Joe, Work Out, and Top Chef. Mr. Aronoff serves as Treasurer and Board Member of the Los Angeles Copyright Society and is a past Chairman of the Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

About Lathrop & Gage:
A leading Midwest full-service law firm, Lathrop & Gage LLP has approximately 300 attorneys in 11 offices nationwide – from Los Angeles to New York, New York. In 2009, Chambers USA ranked Lathrop & Gage’s corporate, environmental, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and labor and employment teams among the best in the Midwest. For more information, visit www.lathropgage.com or www.beentherewonthat.com.