Los Angeles, CA – Mark Gable’s copyright attorneys filed a lawsuit at the Federal District Court in Los Angeles accusing NBC’s “My Name Is Earl” television show of copyright infringement. Gable alleges that he authored a wholly original screenplay entitled “Karma” in 1995 and registered it with the Writers Guild of America (“WGA”) and – over nine years later – it was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office on September 20, 2004. In 1995, Gable alleges that he “distributed and circulated the screenplay to several literary agents and production companies, including, but not limited to, International Creative Management, William Morris, Creative Artist Agency, The Gersh Agency, United Talent Agency, and Alice Fries Agency,” which agencies are also believed to represent the producers named in the lawsuit, thus providing a scenario for access to Gable’s screenplay.

In August of 2005, Gable allegedly discovered that “NBC was airing a new television series entitled, “My Name is Earl” containing the same, somewhat unusual, literary theme as the Screenplay; i.e. turning bad Karma into good Karma by righting past wrongs/making amends. After viewing several episodes of the Television Series, Gable formed the belief that the Television Series was very similar to the screenplay, incorporating wholly original elements therefrom.” Gable hired a third-party to make extensive comparisons between the screenplay and the television series, including the theme, plot, dialog, setting/place, mood, and characters (some of whom have the same names). The results of the comparison led Gable to believe that his screenplay was copied and the lawsuit was filed. The case is titled: Mark Gable v. National Broadcasting Company (“NBC”) and Gregory Thomas Garcia, CV08-04013 SVW (C.D. Cal. 2008).

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Writer Claims 'My Name Is Earl' Is Based On His Screenplay June 19, 2008 http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/06/19/Writer_Claims_My_Name_Is_Earl_Is_Based_On_His_Screenplay.htm Writer Claims 'My Name Is Earl' Is Based On His Screenplay LOS ANGELES (CN) - Mark Gable claims NBC based its show, "My Name Is Earl," on his screenplay, "Karma." Gable claims he sent his work in 1995 to several agents and production companies, some of which have relationships with one of the show's producers.     In his federal claim, Gable says the TV series, which began in 2005, is based on "the same, somewhat unusual literary theme as the screenplay: i.e. turning bad karma into good karma by righting past wrong/making amends."     He is represented by Girardi & Keese.   Thursday, June 19, 2008Last Update: 11:38:56 AM Writer Claims 'My Name Is Earl' Is Based On His Screenplay      LOS ANGELES (CN) - Mark Gable claims NBC based its show, "My Name Is Earl," on his screenplay, "Karma." Gable claims he sent his work in 1995 to several agents and production companies, some of which have relationships with one of the show's producers.      In his federal claim, Gable says the TV series, which began in 2005, is based on "the same, somewhat unusual literary theme as the screenplay: i.e. turning bad karma into good karma by righting past wrong/making amends."      He is represented by Girardi & Keese.   MARK GABLE V. NBC AND GREGORY THOMAS GARCIA Joining forces with renowned attorney Tom Girardi of Girardi & Keese, Lowe Law is co-counsel in an action against NBC and Greg Garcia based upon defendants’ copying of original elements from screenwriter Mark Gable’s screenplay entitled “Karma,” in connection with the hit television show entitled, “My Name is Earl.” On the Web:       •  To view Complaint Mark Gabel’s Website:       • http://markgable.com/ In the News:       •  “Writer Claims 'My Name Is Earl' Is Based On His Screenplay” - Posted June 19, 2008