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Copyright 2005 Reuters
September 22, 2005
HEADLINE:
World Poker Tour owner plays hand in court
Author: Jesse Hiestand
BODY:
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The parent company
of the "World Poker Tour" has sued its outlet, the Travel
Channel, for allegedly interfering with plans to develop a new
poker series on ESPN.
WPT Enterprises Inc. sued the Travel Channel and its owner, Discovery
Communications Inc., for alleged breach of contract and intentional
interference. The case, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court,
seeks unspecified damages and various court orders, including
a declaration that WPT upheld its side of the contract, while
the defendants breached their obligations.
Travel Channel spokesman David Leavy said the outlet continues
to recognize that "WPT" is an important franchise.
"We are planning to very vigorously and aggressively defend
and protect our rights under the existing contracts," Leavy
said.
According to the suit, WPT had the right to develop other poker-related
programming, provided it gave the Travel Channel the first opportunity
to license the show and the last right to refusal.
WPT said it proposed such a show, "Professional Poker Tour,"
in July 2004 but that negotiations with the defendants were not
successful in the 60-day exclusive window.
WPT said it then shopped the show to other networks, including
ESPN, which proposed to license the show September 12. That triggered
a 15-day "last refusal" period for the defendants, who
allegedly sent threatening letters to WPT and ESPN.
One such letter allegedly threatened ESPN with legal action because
the Travel Channel said it already had licensed the show, something
WPT denied.
"The letter to ESPN had and continues to have the effect
of disparaging WPTE, interfering with its pending and anticipated
contract and relationship with ESPN and causing severe and significant
damages," the complaint said.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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