NBC, SPT, Onza settle Timeless dispute

US studio Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and network NBC have settled their copyright dispute with Spain’s Onza Partners.

NBC cancelled Timeless but later relented

The case revolved around accusations that NBC and SPT had ripped off a Spanish drama to make US time-travel series Timeless.

Onza sued NBC, Sony and the US show’s co-creators, Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan, for copyright infringement and breach of implied contract for its drama El Ministerio del Tiempo (The Department of Time).

Onza claimed it met with a partner from the Gersh Agency last year about making a US Department of Time series. After the discussions, Onza alleged, Sony agreed to produce the show and took an 18-month option, before announcing it had picked up a separate project – then called Time – from Ryan and Kripke.

The Spanish firm claimed it began negotiating with Sony for a US version on the condition that there was a promise not to make use of the ideas underlying the format without a full and formally executed agreement.

SPT, NBC, Kripke and Ryan denied the charges and the case had been set to go to court next year, but the companies have now reportedly filed for the case to be dismissed without prejudice.

NBC’s Timeless premiered on October 3 to decent ratings in the US and was sold to Channel 4 in the UK and AXN in Japan, among other broadcasters. It was initially cancelled earlier this month before a fan fightback persuaded NBC to change its mind and order a second season.