The Myth of the Original Story: How Copyright Shapes Hollywood's Narratives

31/07/2025 18 min Episodio 1

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Episode Synopsis

Ever watched a movie and thought, "Hey, I've seen this before!"? This episode gets to the heart of that question, exploring the fascinating intersection of copyright and cinematic storytelling. We'll demystify the idea/expression dichotomy, explaining why a basic plot about a chosen one saving the world isn't protected, but the unique way it's told is. What about those common scenes we see in every action movie—is that copyright infringement? We'll define scènes à faire and reveal why they're free for all. We’ll also break down the high bar for proving substantial similarity, focusing on the unique, original elements that must be copied to trigger a lawsuit. Plus, we'll touch on the key distinction between copyright law and other legal claims that might arise from pitching a concept. Join us as we explore how the law protects our favorite stories while ensuring new ones can still be told.

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