Conan O'Brien Can't Take His Comedy Bits With Him

NBC putting its foot down again over 'intellectual property'
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 16, 2010 2:16 PM CST
Conan O'Brien Can't Take His Comedy Bits With Him
Conan O'Brien is having a nasty divorce with NBC.   (Getty Images)

Conan O'Brien may be about to leave NBC with $30 million in his pocket, but he won't be able to take along his masturbating bear, his predictions for the year 3000, or any other of his comedy bits. Sources tell the Hollywood Reporter that the network won't let Conan resurrect any of the trademarked segments and characters elsewhere.

The upshot of the decision—reminiscent of Letterman's fight with the network years ago over "intellectual property"—is that Conando, Pimpbot 5000, and countless others will likely never be seen again once Conan signs off on Jan. 22. Fans of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog don't have to panic, at least just yet. It's not clear who owns the rights to the character, NBC or O'Brien buddy Robert Smigel.
(More Conan O'Brien stories.)

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