Editing Cold Case (section)

==''Cold Squad'' controversy==
{{Update|section|talk=2003 Copyright issue|date=September 2015}}
At the launch of ''Cold Case'' in July 2003, a Canadian journalist asked the launch panel about similarities between ''Cold Case'' and a Canadian series called ''[[Cold Squad]]'' which had debuted five years earlier.<ref name="tgm">{{cite news |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/ |access-date=2 January 2022 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=12 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvsquad.com/tag/stephen%20mchattie/ |publisher=[[TV Squad]] |title=The strange case of Cold Squad |author=Bob Sassone |date=September 18, 2006 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> ''Cold Squad'' fans accused the American series of copying the Canadian program's basic premise and characters. In 2003, the ''Cold Squad'' creators considered seeking legal redress against the ''Cold Case'' producers over copyright issues.<ref name="Playback">{{cite web |url=http://www.playbackonline.ca/articles/magazine/20031110/colds.html |work=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]] |title=Cold Squad on Bruckheimer Case |author=Ian Edwards |date=November 10, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_browndan/20031204.html |publisher=[[CBC News]] |title=The genius of Ratchford |author=Dan Brown |date=December 4, 2003 |access-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> Both shows aired in Canada (and on the same network, CTV). In November 2003, the law firm O'Donnell & Schaeffer confirmed it agreed to represent the ''Cold Squad'' producers, who claimed the CBS series was a copy of their own hit show. ''The Globe and Mail'' reported that Meredith Stiehm, the American series creator, attended a TV writing seminar at the [[Canadian Film Centre]] in 2002 where the ''Cold Squad'' concept was discussed. O'Donnell lawyer, Carole Handler stated: "Our clients are very concerned about many striking similarities and have retained counsel to investigate the situation and, if necessary, to take appropriate action."<ref name="tgm" />