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May 24, 2012

American Inventor's dirty little secret?

by Bob Sassone, posted Apr 13th 2006 5:26PM

Doug HallLet's hope the contestants on American Inventor have read the fine print.

According to this L.A Times article from last month, contestants on the show not only don't get a million dollar "prize" (it's actually an advance against future royalties), but they actually have to give ABC and the producers "exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license." Seems like a foolproof contract for the network and the people behind the show.

Of course, I'm sure the inventors will gladfully sign the contract, as long as they get some money and get to express their DREAMS and their PASSION. (Kidneys not included.)

[via TV Tattle]

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Simmsays

So did you guys hear that Doug Hall is going to answer all questions posted by commenters this Sunday night at http://www.AmericanInventorSpot.com.

He's a live guest blogger there at 9:30 pm eastern time. It should be pretty interesting with quite a few inventors feeling pretty unhappy with the show.

April 22 2006 at 2:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Idelle

So if a contestant doesn't make it past the $50,000 round, does he or she still lose ownership of his invention? I would like to see the guy who invented the shovel he demonstrated in New Orleans develop his product - with or without the show.

April 21 2006 at 1:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Orlando

If these inventor's ideas are indeed stolen by this network. It is the lowest of the low and this network should be ashamed of itself. It is worth researching
and reporting the truth.

April 21 2006 at 12:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jimmy b

hey.....where would these people be without the show?
they all are on it because they were getting nowhere on their own......
life is a trade off......
and besides "forever???" lol any contract can be changed or challanged...in fact that would be a good idea for another reality show....
REALITY SHOW LAWYERS...who can come up with the best lawsuit..[ i ll be watching if someone steals my idea]

April 14 2006 at 8:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Duane

The thing is, if the show is trying to steal ideas, then they're doing so in a pretty public forum. I expect that the inventor will be well compensated. If they truly screwed anybody there'd be lots of public spotlight cast on the whole thing, and sometimes having somebody's name on the dotted line doesn't always mean that you win.

I agree that "all rights forever" is a bit much, however.

April 13 2006 at 11:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Travis

"Gladfully"?

Maybe you ought to invent yourself a dictionary.

April 13 2006 at 10:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Simmsays

Somehow my posting did not show up.

Well, I'll tyr again.

Unlike with the singers in American Idol who can keep singing after their contract with the show expires, with the inventor, they will take their one good invention and that's it. I worry for the inventors who end up winning. I hope that the deal does not rip them off.

Simmsays...
http://www.AmericanInventorSpot.com

April 13 2006 at 8:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Simmsays

Unlike with American Idol where the singers can sing on forever, the inventor show means you give up your rights to your one good idea. I am concerned for the inventors getting a fair deal from this production.

Simmsays...

http://www.AmericanInventorSpot.com
AmericanInventorSpot.com

April 13 2006 at 8:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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