{"id":101155,"date":"2025-11-13T17:37:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T16:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/?p=101155"},"modified":"2025-12-03T11:39:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T10:39:17","slug":"is-a-tv-series-plagiarism-if-it-uses-the-same-setting-and-themes-as-a-book","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/en\/is-een-tv-serie-plagiaat-als-het-dezelfde-setting-en-themas-als-een-boek-gebruikt\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a TV series plagiarism if it uses the same setting and themes as a book?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An author writes a book set in a specific, evocative location. Years later, a successful TV series appears that uses the same location and atmosphere. Does that violate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/en\/copyright\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">copyright<\/a>Not necessarily. Copyright protects the concrete, original elaboration of a story (such as the plot), not the abstract ideas, themes, or locations. A <a href=\"https:\/\/redactie-delex.cshark.nl\/documents\/ecli\/1aa5dc5a-0f0e-4cd3-8504-e01102f20aea.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">judgement<\/a> by the president of the Ghent Enterprise Court on 13 November 2025, concerning the popular series \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 confirms this fundamental principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-de-feiten-de-zaak-verzwijg-mij-niet-vs-knokke-off\">The facts: the case of \u2018Don't Silence Me\u2019 vs. \u2018Knokke Off\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The case was brought in summary proceedings by author Piet Baete against the production company DINGIE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The plaintiff, Pete Baete, is the author of the crime novel \u2018Verzwijg Mij Niet,\u2019 (Don't silence me) published in 2011<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup>. This book is a thriller in which a chief inspector investigates a mysterious disappearance in Knokke<sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup><sup><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The defendant, DINGIE, is the production company of the successful television series \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 (known internationally as \u2018High Tides\u2019). This series, launched in 2023, is a drama about the lives of a group of gifted young people in Knokke, their family conflicts, mental problems and decadent lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The author argued that the \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 series was an unauthorized adaptation of his book. He pointed to the identical setting (elite Knokke), the atmosphere, and a list of 73 alleged similarities in characters and events. He demanded an immediate cessation of further exploitation of the series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-de-beslissing-van-de-rechtbank\">The court's decision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The President of the Ghent Enterprise Court dismissed the author's main claim in its entirety as unfounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president applied the so-called \u201coverall impression\u201d test. Here the judge compared the fundamental characteristics of both works to see if they evoke the same image. The conclusion was clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The book<\/strong> \u2018Don't Silence Me\u2019 is a classic \u2018whodunit\u2019 crime thriller. The central storyline is the police investigation of a murder.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The series<\/strong> \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 is a drama. The central storyline is not a murder investigation, but focuses on the interpersonal relationships, generational conflicts and psychological problems of the young people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president ruled that the storylines are \u201cincomparable.\u201d The only significant common factor is the location (Knokke) and the accompanying clich\u00e9s of wealth, decadence and partying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crucial was the president's consideration that this \u201cKnokke background\u201d and accompanying stereotypes belong to the \u201ccommons\u201d (the public domain). It is a commonplace setting that cannot be monopolized via copyright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 73 cited similarities were described by the president as \u201cfar-fetched, detailed and contrived.\u201d According to the president, they were general human themes (such as infidelity, addiction, elitist behavior) that often appear in literature and lack any originality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-juridische-analyse-en-duiding\">Legal analysis and interpretation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This statement is a perfect illustration of one of the basic principles of copyright law: the idea-expression dichotomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Belgian copyright law, enshrined in Article XI.165 et seq. of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ejustice.just.fgov.be\/cgi_loi\/change_lg.pl?language=nl&amp;la=N&amp;cn=2013022819&amp;table_name=wet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Code of Economic Law (CEL)<\/a>, does not protect the abstract idea, thought, method or style. It protects only the concrete and original form or expression in which that idea is cast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The idea (not protected):<\/strong> \u201cA drama about rich, decadent youth in Knokke.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The expression (though protected):<\/strong> The specific, original plot of \u2018Don't Silence Me\u2019 (a detective investigates a murder of a young man after a garden party at the De Greve family, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 series only shared the idea and setting, but had a totally different expression (storyline), there was no infringement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-een-opvallende-noot-de-afgewezen-tegenvordering\">One notable note: the rejected counterclaim<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In turn, the production company DINGIE had counterclaimed for agonizing and reckless litigation, claiming damages and publication of the judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This counterclaim was also dismissed by the president. The president stated that for a claim to be \u2018reckless\u2019 it must be brought lightly, which a reasonable person would not do. Although the author lost his case, it was not completely hopeless beforehand; it required an extensive defense by the opposing party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president also made an interesting separation between the media campaign the author conducted prior to the case and the lawsuit itself. The fact that someone seeks out the media does not automatically make the subsequent lawsuit agonizing or reckless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-wat-dit-concreet-betekent\">What this specifically means<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For authors and screenwriters:<\/strong> You cannot claim a general concept, a theme (e.g., \u201clove in wartime\u201d) or a location (e.g., \u201cdecadent Knokke\u201d). Your protection lies in your unique plot, the specific sequence of events, and the original interaction between your characters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For production houses and creators:<\/strong> You may take inspiration from existing works, as long as you do not adopt concrete, original story elements. Using the same setting or general theme is allowed, as long as you put your own, original spin on it. Documenting your own independent creative process can be crucial as a defense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For those considering a lawsuit:<\/strong> The threshold for \u201cagonizing and reckless litigation\u201d is high. You don't lose your case lightly. You really must have acted lightly or with malicious intent. However, this ruling also shows that both parties (plaintiff and defendant) can lose their claims (principal and counterclaim) entirely and each must bear their own costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-veelgestelde-vragen-faq\">Frequently asked questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the legal difference between plagiarism and inspiration?<\/strong> <br>Legally, plagiarism (or an \u2018unauthorized adaptation\u2019) is the copying of the concrete, original elements of someone else's work, such as the specific storyline, structure or dialogue, creating the same overall impression. Inspiration is using general ideas, themes or a mood to create a new, stand-alone original work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Are the characters in my book protected?<\/strong> <br>Yes, provided they are sufficiently original in elaboration. A general \u2018type\u2019 (e.g., \u201ca gruff detective\u201d or \u201ca rich kid with a drug problem\u201d) is not protected. But a character with a specific, original background, character traits, and a unique role in the plot does enjoy copyright protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 had used the murder plot from the book, but changed all the names?<\/strong> <br>That most likely would have been infringement. Copyright protects the core<em> <\/em>of the creation, being the original storyline (the \u2018red thread\u2019). Changing names or locations is insufficient to cover up an infringement if the fundamental plot has been illegally copied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusie\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ruling on \u2018Knokke Off\u2019 is a textbook example of the limits of copyright in Belgium. It confirms that atmosphere, themes and locations - however atmospheric - belong to the \u201ccommons\u201d and may be freely used. The legal protection lies not in the idea, but in its unique, personal and original execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ictrechtswijzer.be\/en\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Are you facing a complex copyright, plagiarism or intellectual property case? Our attorneys specializing in intellectual property law are ready to analyze your case and defend your rights. Feel free to contact us for an initial advice.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Een auteur schrijft een boek dat zich afspeelt in een specifieke, tot de verbeelding sprekende locatie. Jaren later verschijnt een succesvolle tv-serie die dezelfde locatie en sfeer gebruikt. Is dat een inbreuk op het auteursrecht? Niet noodzakelijk. Het auteursrecht beschermt de concrete, originele uitwerking van een verhaal (zoals de plot), niet de abstracte idee\u00ebn, thema&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":101156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-auteursrecht"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is een tv-serie plagiaat als het dezelfde setting en thema&#039;s als een boek gebruikt? - ICT Rechtswijzer Advocaat<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is een tv-serie plagiaat bij dezelfde setting? 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