... that there is a growing business licensing these very format 'rights', however unique and original."1 What is to be considered in my work is the tendency of the courts and the copyright law systems of not providing protection to 'general ideas' of works, focusing on the works of television (TV) formats. An examination of what is the 'idea vs. expression dichotomy' will be provided followed by important United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) case law, illustrating the approach of the courts to the issues which arose in regards to copyright law protection of television formats. Furthermore, we will consider the alternative ways of protecting TV formats (namely, breach of confidence and passing off). A suitable starting point would be to introduce you to the basic concepts of copyright law. 'Copyright is a property right that subsists in certain specified types of works as provided for by the Copyright, Designs ...

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