Endemol Secures Court Win in Malta Big Brother Case

HILVERSUM, May 4: The Maltese Courts have ruled in Endemol
International’s favor in its proceedings against the broadcasters and producers
of L-iSpjun, a Big Brother
knockoff.

On March 20, Endemol filed a judicial protest against the
broadcasters and producers behind L-iSpjun claiming intellectual
property rights infringement. Endemol demanded that the show be pulled and was
seeking unspecified damages.

The series was broadcast on Malta’s national television
station, Public Broadcasting Services (TVM), and Melita Cable TV, and was
streamed live on Go Mobile on its cellular phone network. Watermelon Media
& Communications Limited and P&D Communications Limited were the
producers of the series.

At the end of last month, Endemol filed a series of
precautionary warrants against all parties involved. The Maltese Courts upheld
these warrants and ordered the seizure of the TV studio equipment, props, tapes
and other devices used as part of the production of the show, as well as
freezing other assets of the defendants, including bank accounts.

Wim Hoen, the intellectual property rights manager at
Endemol International, noted: “We’re delighted with the Maltese Courts’
decision which fully vindicates our view that this production was in breach of
our rights. We hope this sends a clear message that this kind of infringement
will not be tolerated and will be acted upon.”

Dr. Pierre Mifsud from Ellul Mifsud & DeBono Advocates
led the legal team representing Endemol.