Editing Cold Squad (section)

==''Cold Case'' intellectual property controversy==
When U.S. television network [[CBS]] announced the premiere of ''[[Cold Case (TV series)|Cold Case]]'' for its 2003/2004 schedule, [[John Doyle (critic)|John Doyle]] of ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'' wrote: "''Cold Case''...is a new drama about a blond, female cop (played by [[Kathryn Morris]]) who tracks down old, cold cases and faces discrimination because she's a woman. It has no connection with ''Cold Squad'', a Canadian series about a blond, female cop who tracks down old, cold cases and faces discrimination because she's a woman."<ref>{{cite web|last=Doyle|first=John|title=A season with too much reality in the wings|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-season-with-too-much-reality-in-the-wings/article1334460/|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|publisher=[[The Woodbridge Company]]|date=May 19, 2003|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005214759/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-season-with-too-much-reality-in-the-wings/article1334460/|url-status=live}}</ref> The likeness to ''Cold Squad'' was also noted by other Canadian television critics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Staff|title=The Shows – CTV|url=http://strategyonline.ca/2003/06/16/falltvtheshows-20030616/|website=Strategy|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005060636/http://strategyonline.ca/2003/06/16/falltvtheshows-20030616/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephanie Earp of ''[[TV Guide (Canada)|TV Guide]]'' wrote: "Last fall, American viewers got excited about a new crime drama that revolves around a tough blond detective with an edgy haircut who solves cold cases. Of course, Canadian viewers got excited by that show back in '98, when it debuted under the name ''Cold Squad''."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Earp|first1=Stephanie|title=Getting The Cold Shoulder|work=[[TV Guide (Canada)|TV Guide]]|issue=1426|date=24 April 2004|page=5}}</ref>

The comparison between ''Cold Squad'' and ''Cold Case'' became compelling when it was revealed that [[Meredith Stiehm]], the creator of ''Cold Case'', had attended seminars on television writing in April 2002 at the [[Canadian Film Centre]] and was informed about the concept of ''Cold Squad'' during one of the sessions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Doyle|first1=John|title=Cold Squad, Cold Case: Similar, or what?|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/cold-squad-cold-case-similar-or-what/article1341346/|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|publisher=[[The Woodbridge Company]]|date=November 12, 2003|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=October 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002231055/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/cold-squad-cold-case-similar-or-what/article1341346/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The similarities led ''Cold Squad'' series creators Matt MacLeod and Julia Keatley to retain [[intellectual property]] attorney [[Carole E. Handler|Carole Handler]], of Los Angeles law firm O'Donnell & Schaeffer, to broker talks with ''Cold Case'' producer [[Jerry Bruckheimer]] and [[Warner Bros. Television|Warner Bros.]] MacLeod declined to discuss details but said, "We are deeply concerned [about the shows' similarities]...We're taking the appropriate actions." Confirming that written correspondence was proceeding between the producers of the two shows, Handler stated, "We hope to work out the producers' concerns. This is a real issue. My clients are the creators of the original concept." Recourse in the matter included the option of doing nothing, a settlement involving royalties or a format payment, or a lawsuit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Ian|title=Cold Squad on Bruckheimer Case|url=http://playbackonline.ca/2003/11/10/colds-20031110/|website=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]|publisher=Brunico Communications|date=November 10, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003000241/https://playbackonline.ca/2003/11/10/colds-20031110/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=TV News|title='Cold Case' Could Become Court Case|url=http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C84628%7C1%7C,00.html|website=[[Zap2it]]|publisher=[[Tribune Media]]|date=November 12, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031206183503/http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1%2C1002%2C271%7C84628%7C1%7C%2C00.html|archive-date=December 6, 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>

CTV acquired the rights to broadcast ''Cold Case'' in Canada and added the series to its Fall 2003 schedule,<ref>{{cite web|title=Fall 2003 Highlights: CTV|url= http://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/nets/ctv/fall-2003-highlights-ctv|website=Channel Canada|date=June 2, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221093539/http://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/nets/ctv/fall-2003-highlights-ctv|archive-date= February 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Idols headline CTV event|url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/broadcasting/idols-headline-ctv-event/1000028603/|work=Broadcaster Magazine|date=June 4, 2003|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005073002/http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/broadcasting/idols-headline-ctv-event/1000028603/|archive-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> at the same time postponing the last season of ''Cold Squad'' until Fall 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last=News release|title=Number One Schedule Strengthened As CTV Announces 2004-2005 Line-Up|url=http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/number-one-schedule-strengthened-as-ctv-announces-2004-2005-line-up|website=[[Bell Media]]|publisher=[[BCE Inc.|BCE]]|date=June 7, 2004|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105318/http://www.bce.ca/news-and-media/releases/show/number-one-schedule-strengthened-as-ctv-announces-2004-2005-line-up|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=vlessing2004 />  The network took advantage of the resemblance between the two shows by scheduling both during the same [[prime time]] day of the week, Sunday, publicizing the programming as a "crime theme night", with ''Cold Case'' airing at 8 p.m. and ''Cold Squad'' at 10 p.m.<ref>{{cite web|last=jennkuzmyk|title=Cold Case/Cold Squad 'just a coincidence'|url=http://www.c21media.net/cold-casecold-squad-just-a-coincidence/|website=C21Media|date=August 14, 2003|access-date=September 10, 2016|archive-date=September 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910132953/http://www.c21media.net/cold-casecold-squad-just-a-coincidence/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[18th Gemini Awards]], awards host [[Seán Cullen]] bluntly echoed a shared sentiment about CTV bumping ''Cold Squad'' off its fall programming in favor of the new American cop show: "Screw you ''Cold Case''. I love ''Cold Squad''."<ref>{{cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Gayle|title=Kiss-of-life for Gemini Awards|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/kiss-of-life-for-gemini-awards/article1047483/|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|publisher=[[The Woodbridge Company]]|date=October 21, 2003|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005215155/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/kiss-of-life-for-gemini-awards/article1047483/|url-status=live}}</ref>

When ''Cold Squad'' went into [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] in the United States the similitude between it and ''Cold Case'' raised eyebrows — until American viewers discovered that ''Cold Squad'' was the precedent series.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sassone|first1=Bob|title=The strange case of Cold Squad|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/stephen%20mchattie/|website=[[Weblogs, Inc.#TV Squad|TV Squad]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025080929/http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/stephen%20mchattie/|archive-date=October 25, 2008|date=September 18, 2006}}</ref>