Mehmet Oz and Phil McGraw are two of the most famous doctors on television, but both have made efforts this month to find a cure for an ailment that normally is not associated with their programs: copyright infringement.
On May 6, the Houston Chronicle reported that “The Dr.Oz show” would begin informing viewers about companies illegally using the Dr. Oz name to sell their products. Oz began ending each show with a disclaimer reading:
“If you receive an e-mail or any kind of direct marketing claiming to be from me selling a product with my name, my image or the show’s name, you need to know IT’S NOT ME! I consider anyone that uses my name or my picture to try to sell you a product or supplement reckless and dangerous. They are undermining my credibility with you and the trust you place in me. More importantly, it could be dangerous to your health.”
That same day, McGraw’s Peteski Productions filed a lawsuit in Texarkana, Texas, against Gawker Media for posting footage of the TV therapist’s interview with Ronaiah Tuiasosopo—the man behind the Manti Te’o girlfriend hoax—on its sports gossip blog, Deadspin. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the lawsuit claims that the website “posted the juiciest parts of the interview online before it had aired in the majority of Dr. Phil markets,” and Deadspin made stolen copyrighted material available to viewers online. This allegedly resulted in lower ratings for the second episode. Deadspin originally broke the Te’o story in January, and the Reporter noted its story has over four million views.
If you need help protecting your intellectual property or you believe that another party has stolen your copyrighted material Los Angeles business litigation attorney Robert G. Klein has over a quarter-century of experience helping clients with complex business claims. Use the form on this page or contact our firm today at [number] to have our Los Angeles copyright infringement attorneyreview your case.
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