[erinp5]

The row over who created ITV2 show The Only Way is Essex is a step closer to going to court, with a date set for October and both parties gearing up to appear.


The case has been scheduled to go to trial at the High Court at some point durnig a five-day window from 7 October.

If the case goes to trial, it will be after more than a year since the claim against

The dispute over the reality format is between ITV and Lime Pictures on one side and former Big Brother contestant Brian Belo, Sassy Films and Massive TV on the other.

The trio filed a claim for copyright infringement and breach of confidence at the High Court in March last year. They allege that they took the idea to ITV before it was commissioned from Lime. ITV and Lime have lodged a robust defence against the claim.

In the background of the formal proceedings, an offer to settle out of court is understood to have been made and rejected by Belo, Sassy and Massive.

ITV and Lime are also understood to have requested that the claimants find insurance to cover the costs of the case, in the event they lose. Belo and his co-claimers have responded by securing insurance.

Since then, the court has ordered both sides to disclose documents relating to the case. It is understood that ITV and Lime have requested partial disclosure, rather than full. The court is yet to decide which route to go down

[Jack_]

I hope he wins but I doubt he will

[erinp5]

They made him an out of court offer so he must have a case .

[fingers]

Rejecting an out of court settlement just means that you get **** all if you lose!

[erinp5]

Originally Posted by fingers

Rejecting an out of court settlement just means that you get **** all if you lose!

but to have an offer made means there must be a case to answer

[fingers]

Originally Posted by erinp5

but to have an offer made means there must be a case to answer

But it doesn't mean that you can prove it.

[billy123]

Originally Posted by fingers

But it doesn't mean that you can prove it.

The fact they turned it down suggests they think they can.
I hope Belo gets what is his. It was his idea and he was in the pilot "totally essex" He will win.

He even put the cast together that they still use now it consists of his friends that he asked to do it with him and he has an unsigned contract from lime asking him to sell them the rights to the show for Ł2500 which he refused to do but they pressed on without him anyway.

Youtube video

[erinp5]

Originally Posted by fingers

But it doesn't mean that you can prove it.

I think they are running scared ,he must have concrete evidence to go forward with a trial imo

[fingers]

Originally Posted by erinp5

I think they are running scared ,he must have concrete evidence to go forward with a trial imo

They offered the cheap way out, the fact that they demanded proof of insurance if the complainants lose just shows that they are confident because if they win they are guaranteed to recoup their costs!

[erinp5]

Originally Posted by fingers

They offered the cheap way out, the fact that they demanded proof of insurance if the complainants lose just shows that they are confident because if they win they are guaranteed to recoup their costs!

The outcome will be interesting

[fingers]

Damages awarded can also be way less than the amount offered out of court.