Lathrop & Gage Wins Appeal Re “National Bingo Night”
LOS ANGELES (July 22, 2011) – Lathrop & Gage attorneys David Aronoff (Intellectual Property – Los Angeles), Jeff Grant (Intellectual Property – Los Angeles) and Emily Birdwhistell (Intellectual Property – Los Angeles) on July 19, 2011 won in California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal upholding summary judgment for television producer Stuart Krasnow (“Krasnow”) in a lawsuit concerning ABC’s television program National Bingo Night.
The suit was filed by Mike Ousley, who claimed that National Bingo Night and Game Show Network’s (GSN’s) Bingo America were based on an idea that he allegedly pitched to Krasnow, without Ousley receiving compensation. In 2009, the Los Angeles County Superior Court granted the firm’s motion for summary judgment, dismissing Ousley’s breach of implied contract and breach of confidence claims against ABC and Krasnow. Ousley appealed as to Krasnow only, but on Tuesday the Court of Appeals affirmed the original ruling.
ABC’s National Bingo Night was created and produced by television producer Andrew Glassman. Six episodes aired on ABC in 2007, and the program was not renewed. Glassman also created and produced Bingo America, which aired on GSN subsequently. Initially when this lawsuit was filed, both GSN and Glassman were also named as defendants, however, the firm secured dismissal of the claims against them in May 2009.
Aronoff concentrates his practice in business litigation, often dealing with intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks and media issues. Aronoff is presently serving as the vice president of the Los Angeles Copyright Society and is a former chairman of the Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Grant and Birdwhistell concentrate their practices in intellectual property. Grant was selected as a “Rising Star in Business Litigation and Intellectual Property Litigation” by Southern California Super Lawyers in 2011.
About Lathrop & Gage LLP:
A full-service law firm, Lathrop & Gage LLP has more than 320 attorneys in 12 offices nationwide – from Los Angeles to New York. In 2011, Chambers USA ranked Lathrop & Gage’s corporate, environmental, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation, real estate and transportation teams among the best in their regions. For more information, visit www.lathropgage.com.
