LeBron James’ Uninterrupted has copyright issue with Alabama Football

There is a developing copyright issue between Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James and the University of Alabama’s head football coach, Nick Saban, according to a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Alabama Football’s Twitter page released a clip of “Shop Talk” earlier this week, which is a discussion-based show with a barber shop setting. Former Crimson Tide standout Julio Jones joined Saban in the show’s first episode.

As most hoops fans know, James and his business associates already have a similar production with Uninterrupted called “The Shop.” James has released two episodes of the popular web series, with a third filmed and believed to be on the way.

The two shows are quite similar, and therein lies the problem…

According to USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick, Uninterrupted’s head of business and legal affairs Josh Tarnow sent a letter to the university on Monday to address their concerns about infringement and intellectual property appropriation.

“Shop Talk is clearly using the ideas, concepts and format previously created and exploited by Uninterrupted in connection with its program titled ‘The Shop,’ and Uninterrupted believes Shop Talk infringes the copyright in The Shop.

“In addition, your use of the name “Shop Talk” and the related logo infringes Uninterrupted’s valuable trademark rights in “The Shop,” and in the name and design associated therewith.”

“Your continued exploitation of ‘Shop Talk’ infringes ‘Uninterrupted’s’ copyright, trademark rights and other valuable intellectual property rights in ‘The Shop’ and significantly damages ‘Uninterrupted’s’ commercial prospects for ‘The Shop, ” according to the letter obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

USA TODAY reports that Alabama did not respond to a request for comment.

Rather than “rushing into legal proceedings,” an invitation for a meeting has been proposed.

“Rather than get into a ‘battle of legal letters,’ or rushing into legal proceedings, we think it would be beneficial for you to please provide Uninterrupted with a copy of the complete episode 1 of Shop Talk to review and to then have a conversation about how to address Uninterrupted’s concerns amicably,” Tarnow wrote.

Uninterrupted has requested a response by Tuesday, according to Zillgitt and Amick. We’ll try to keep you updated with more information on this story as it becomes available.