'Merv Griffin's Crosswords' Spells L-A-W-S-U-I-T

Posted by Eriq Gardner

How hard is it to create a television game show format around crossword puzzles?

Self-proclaimed crossword addict Merv Griffin reportedly toiled for years to create one before his death last year.

Now comes the claim of a six-letter infraction. Hint: It starts with a B.

George Giangrante claims in this lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court that he submitted an idea to Griffin's production company that outlined a game show featuring a traditional crossword. Giangrante says he and his agent discussed the proposed show with an executives at Merv Griffin Entertainment in autumn of 2001. That idea was stolen, Giangrante claims, later used to form the basis of "Merv Griffin's Crosswords," a successful and widely syndicated television show.

Giangrante claims B-R-E-A-C-H of implied-in-fact contract and B-R-E-A-C-H of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and seeks unspecified general damages. He is represented by Douglas Johnson of Johnson & Johnson.

 

Comments

[Big Daddy69]

Hey Mr. so-called writer, maybe you should go to LA County Superior Court & read the suit, I did. This show has a patent on it, so stick your starts w/B term up your ass. A patent is a patent. This guy's from Jersy, you know what happens when you mess w/Jersey.

[summore]

i went to read the us patent on "double-cross game show" and merv griffin productions ripped this guy off, plain and simple, how blatant!
the man from new jersey pateneted his ideas (the very first one to do so for a game show idea, it seems)in 2001. i hope he wins, he should, it's all there in black and white!

[BruceW]

You can't "patent" an idea for a game show. This is a joke.

[Big Ant]

Hey Summore, you must be the same guy w/different names writing the same line on other sites. Real original.

[Big Ant]

Sorry Summore, I meat my comment for Brucey. My bad. Brucey, you don't know your ass from third base. You were probably one of Merv's boyz. Better read up on patent's, how do you think shows get air time, IDEAS. People cover their butts w/a patent so skum bags like Mervy boy don't come & steal them.

[Scott]

Its an I.P. Copyright for a gameshow format, not a patent. Patent would apply to a board game or other product/device.