Abbott Elementary has quickly become one of the most beloved shows on television. The ABC mockumentary sitcom about an inner-city elementary school in Philadelphia has ridden a recent wave of "wholesome TV". The show just ended its second season and will likely be an award favorite again this year.
However, the show has been facing a legal battle since mid-2022. Writer and performer Christine Davis filed a copyright suit against creator Quinta Brunson and ABC. Davis claims that Abbott Elementary violates the copyright of her unproduced script This School Year. Davis is seeking damages and all profits generated by Abbott Elementary.
Brunson Wants Copyright Suit Thrown Out
In a filing to have the case dismissed, Brunson argued that the two shows are actually very different. "Starting with reading the very first page of Plaintiff’s treatment, it is evident that the concept and feel of the works are wholly dissimilar. While This School Year begins with a second-grade teacher Ms. Davis, slamming a book against her face at the idea that a new school year is starting, Abbott Elementary begins with a bubbly, positive, and optimistic second grade teacher, Janine Teagues, gushing about how excited she is to be starting another year with her students.” This claim argues that the tone and plots of the show differ based on the main character and how they view the world.
So where will the case go from here? While a judge has yet to rule on the case, Abbott Elementary will likely win out. Davis' case primarily relies on both shows being about an inner-city elementary school. Her suit does claim that the shows share the "look and feel of the inner-city school, the mockumentary style, unique plot synopsis, set design, and unique characters.” However, according to the US Copyright Office, "The general idea or concept for a program is not copyrightable. Copyright will protect the literary or dramatic expression of an author’s idea but not the idea itself; and Registration for a particular script applies only to the copyrightable material in that script. “Blanket” registration for future scripts or for a series as a whole is not available." Despite this, we will have to wait for an official ruling.
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