So You Think You Can Dance Producers Settle Show Concept Theft Lawsuit

So You Think You Can Dance producers have settled with John Cassese who claims that 19 E, FOX and Dick Clark Productions stole the show concept from him. Apparently, this lawsuit has been going on for six years! It was dismissed a couple of times but overturned on appeal. It was about to go on trial this Monday, but both parties have reached a settlement on "mutually acceptable terms."

So I guess the lawsuit indeed had some merit. If the show had been fighting this for six years, they probably didn't want to have any details come out in the open in a trial. Report from THR:

From THR:

Fox Broadcasting, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions have settled a lawsuit that claimed that the concept for the hit reality show So You Think You Can Dance was stolen from a celebrity dance instructor and his partner. The agreement comes on the verge of a trial that was scheduled to begin next Monday.

John Cassese, who calls himself the "Dance Doctor," filed the lawsuit six years ago, claiming that he and his writing partners registered a concept with the WGA entitled "So You Think You Can Dance." The registration described a 60-minute elimination-style contest each week where dancers around the nation competed by being forced to master unfamiliar dance styles, paired with others, and wore elaborate costumes in front of live audiences.

The plaintiff hired an agent, who shopped it around in 2003, including to CAA. Allegedly, agents then divulged the ideas to 19 and DCP in formal pitch meetings held at Fox.