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A+E Networks settles live PD copyright lawsuit

A+E Networks settles live PD copyright lawsuit

A+E Networks has settled its copyright infringement lawsuit against Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz over its crime series “Live PD.” The deal came Friday as a stipulation in its multi-year distribution deal with Amazon — a move that came together to “amplify the reach” of the network’s brands on Prime Video.

“A+E Networks and Amazon have agreed to significantly expand their commercial relationship in a multi-year agreement that will amplify the reach of A+E Networks’ brands and content on the Amazon Prime Video service,” a spokesperson said. “In connection with this agreement, the legal dispute between A+E and Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz regarding Live PD has been resolved.”

The original lawsuit was filed in 2022 for “On Patrol: Live,” with A+E Networks alleging “outrageous theft of AETN’s intellectual property” by Big Fish, Half Moon and Reelz.

“Without any authorization from AETN, Big Fish (the show’s former producer) created a clone of ‘Live PD’ with the same main hosts, content, format, segments and more and sold that almost identical show to REELZ, a network of cable. looking for his first hit, which then took the show off the air over AETN’s repeated and vociferous objections,” the 2022 complaint said.

A&E’s complaint alleged that Reelz and other defendants did not “bring back” “Live PD” but that they “co-opted AETN’s intellectual property.”

The Emmy-winning “Live PD” premiered on A&E on October 28, 2016. “On Patrol: Live,” now in its third season, premiered on July 22, 2022 on Reelz. Dan Abrams hosted both shows and executive produced “On Patrol: Live.”