talkingtocactus
Coroner
i think there was a thread about this over in the vegas section but i've started it here as this applies specifically to NY...
http://www.theawl.com/2011/02/how-csiny-most-definitely-didnt-steal-my-story
this article is by a guy who said he wrote a story as an april fool's hoax (ie wrote it as if it were investigative journalism when it was really just a story) and that it was later used in very similar detail for a NY plot. his case was dismissed partly because freelance written work on the internet isn't subject to the same copyright strictures as published work, and partly because CBS essentially claimed it was coincidence (despite admitting the writers had seen the article in question)
anyway, i thought it was interesting. i especially liked this bit:
that'd be nice
http://www.theawl.com/2011/02/how-csiny-most-definitely-didnt-steal-my-story
this article is by a guy who said he wrote a story as an april fool's hoax (ie wrote it as if it were investigative journalism when it was really just a story) and that it was later used in very similar detail for a NY plot. his case was dismissed partly because freelance written work on the internet isn't subject to the same copyright strictures as published work, and partly because CBS essentially claimed it was coincidence (despite admitting the writers had seen the article in question)
anyway, i thought it was interesting. i especially liked this bit:
... "the Episode’s tone is dark, and it clearly does not end as optimistically as the Article." Moreover, "the Article serves as a piece of social commentary," ... By that rationale, I can legally write a short story based on a recent "CSI: NY" episode—and, to make my case more airtight, just make the ending happier and with social commentary (Gary Sinise joyfully returns to his theatrical roots after becoming sickened by the phony entertainment industry!).
that'd be nice