Writer claims his jokes were stolen
LOS ANGELES — If the best jokes are stolen, the best comedians don’t think it’s a laughing matter when they’re accused of ripping off material.
That’s why Conan O’Brien is vigorously defending himself from plagiarism allegations by a writer who accused him of plagiarizing punch lines about Caitlyn Jenner, Tom Brady and the Washington Monument.
A federal judge in San Diego refused to toss out the lawsuit last week, potentially setting up a novel copyright infringement trial over comic creativity and the value of a punchline.
Robert Alexander Kaseberg said he posted several jokes on blogs or Twitter that the late-night comedian repeated almost verbatim hours later on his “Conan” show on TBS.
The suit names O’Brien, his production company, Turner Broadcasting System, Time Warner Inc., and the executive producer and head writer of the show. They have denied the claims and said the material was original.
