Conan O'Brien
As Conan O’Brien is no doubtedly looking at an exit contract and looking to his future, I think there sadly, one has to keep something in mind when he moves on to wherever that might be: That most of his characterizations that he came up with during the 16 years of working for NBC, are more than likely intellectual property of NBC.
Most companies have employees sign away their rights to ideas while in the employ of the company. In the different places where I’ve worked with scientists, if they create a patent, it’s the company property. If they invent an idea, it’s the property of the company.
So too, I suspect, will be most of the characters that Conan O’Brien has developed while there at NBC and portrayed on screen for his NBC television show.
It’s just a thought and I suspect it will be quite the fight or expensive proposition if they actually let Conan retain some or any parts of his work. Yep, it sucks… but he’ll be free. Free to come up with new characters.
