So I’m sitting there watching the November 4 episode of Fringe (title: “Novation”) and slowly my jaw drops as I realize how much of it is stolen…from Matt Costello and me.
In case you missed it, Fringe is developing a story line about beings from alternate Earth called shapeshifters who possess a special cellular structure. With the help of an implanted disc, they can sample anyone’s DNA and become a perfect copy (down to the base-pair level) of that other person. The disk stores the various genomes and can switch between them.
Flashback to 1998: Warner Aspect publishes a novel by Matt Costello and me called Masque. It centers around secret agents called “mimes” who have a special mimetic DNA (mDNA) that can be programmed to copy anyone else’s DNA. All they have to do is slip in a template disk encoded with that genome and their bodies change into a perfect copy of that person down to the molecular level. They also have blank programmable disks that can copy a DNA sample, allowing them to “steal” anyone’s genome on the fly.
Notice any similarity? Come on. Just a little?
They say you can’t copyright an idea. Fine. But this is a lot more than a mere idea, this is a process, this is a whole technology. It’s also the same plot – using these beings to infiltrate a rival group.
And it’s not as if Hollywood has never seen Masque. It’s been floating around since Tom Cruise’s production company (Cruise-Wagner) optioned it for Polygram Pictures immediately after publication. When Polygram folded, so did the deal, but numerous game companies have been interested in adapting it to interactive form (which was how we’d originally conceived it).
Am I angry? Sadly, no. I say sadly because this seems to be the way writers work these days. Disheartened is more like it. Where I come from, writers honor each other’s work. But the second-raters are always with us. They’ll rip you off without so much as a by-your-leave because odds are they’ll get away with it. (Not always: Just last week Little, Brown yanked the Q. R. Markham novel, “Assassin of Secrets,” for plagiarizing dozens of writers, including Robert Ludlum.)
Since TV is such a collaborative process, the writers of this particular script might well be clueless as to the origin of the technology. But whoever introduced it into the story conferences had to have read Masque. It’s too…damn…close.
I’m not the litigious sort, and don’t keep lawyers on retainer like Fox, but, you know, a little tip of the hat would be nice.
If you want to check out what I’m talking about, the episode, “Novation,” is here and the novel is available as an ebook under its preferred title, DNA Wars.
Judge for yourself.
In case you missed it, Fringe is developing a story line about beings from alternate Earth called shapeshifters who possess a special cellular structure. With the help of an implanted disc, they can sample anyone’s DNA and become a perfect copy (down to the base-pair level) of that other person. The disk stores the various genomes and can switch between them.
Flashback to 1998: Warner Aspect publishes a novel by Matt Costello and me called Masque. It centers around secret agents called “mimes” who have a special mimetic DNA (mDNA) that can be programmed to copy anyone else’s DNA. All they have to do is slip in a template disk encoded with that genome and their bodies change into a perfect copy of that person down to the molecular level. They also have blank programmable disks that can copy a DNA sample, allowing them to “steal” anyone’s genome on the fly.
Notice any similarity? Come on. Just a little?
They say you can’t copyright an idea. Fine. But this is a lot more than a mere idea, this is a process, this is a whole technology. It’s also the same plot – using these beings to infiltrate a rival group.
And it’s not as if Hollywood has never seen Masque. It’s been floating around since Tom Cruise’s production company (Cruise-Wagner) optioned it for Polygram Pictures immediately after publication. When Polygram folded, so did the deal, but numerous game companies have been interested in adapting it to interactive form (which was how we’d originally conceived it).
Am I angry? Sadly, no. I say sadly because this seems to be the way writers work these days. Disheartened is more like it. Where I come from, writers honor each other’s work. But the second-raters are always with us. They’ll rip you off without so much as a by-your-leave because odds are they’ll get away with it. (Not always: Just last week Little, Brown yanked the Q. R. Markham novel, “Assassin of Secrets,” for plagiarizing dozens of writers, including Robert Ludlum.)
Since TV is such a collaborative process, the writers of this particular script might well be clueless as to the origin of the technology. But whoever introduced it into the story conferences had to have read Masque. It’s too…damn…close.
I’m not the litigious sort, and don’t keep lawyers on retainer like Fox, but, you know, a little tip of the hat would be nice.
If you want to check out what I’m talking about, the episode, “Novation,” is here and the novel is available as an ebook under its preferred title, DNA Wars.
Judge for yourself.
FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
I am new to Fringe just working my way through the 1st season now, but haven't you mentioned some similarities to other works? This one sounds beyond coincidence. Sounds as if you have a fan working on the writing team for Fringe though. One who has no problem stealing your ideas.
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." D.O. McKay
"Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected."
~ Red Buttons
Too literal? I'm sorry you feel I have a Literal Agenda!
GRRRRR!!!!! (Where is the hitting your head against the wall smiley????!!)
Other people have thought Fringe stole some stuff in the past but those were free-floating theories that have been around forever (like an advanced pre-cataclysm society a la Atlantis). This is different. This is very specific.
FPW
FAQ
"It means 'Ask the next question.' Ask the next question, and the one that follows that, and the one that follows that. It's the symbol of everything humanity has ever created." Theodore Sturgeon.
Send a copy of the book with a letter from you lawyer stating you want acknowledgment included in any future showings of that episode including DVD, etc. If you are nice about it but also show you are serious it may produce results faster than threats.
I expect this problem will get worse. There is a huge plagiarism problem in colleges today that is really not being effectively addressed. As those kids move into work, I don't think they will have any issues taking from others as that has never been a problem for them.
I expect this problem will get worse. There is a huge plagiarism problem in colleges today that is really not being effectively addressed. As those kids move into work, I don't think they will have any issues taking from others as that has never been a problem for them.
It's a cruel drag, Paul, but--and I say this with 100% sympathy for you and Matt--that's show biz. Check out "Dark Destroyer" (Murray Leinster?) and the film ALIEN. Leeches leech.
It probably won't make you feel any better but at least they're stealing from the best. I'm torn on issues like this because I don't feel like there is a lot new under the sun and I don't mind a good idea being used multiple times but that does seem too blatant.
Scott
Jesus died for your sins, get your money's worth. Chad Daniels
Theft is theft, Scott.
The Plizmos played The Bottom Line many years ago, and Ken Guarino and I sang, I SHALL BE UNRELEASED. Dylan and his boys turned up with baseball bats. Luckily, Ken and I had our knives. And Thank God bassist Tony Crum had his gun.
The Plizmos played The Bottom Line many years ago, and Ken Guarino and I sang, I SHALL BE UNRELEASED. Dylan and his boys turned up with baseball bats. Luckily, Ken and I had our knives. And Thank God bassist Tony Crum had his gun.