Comments on: Tony Bonner begins Skippy residuals case

By: FangerA101

FangerA101 — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:36:04 +0000

Who is he suing? Old Producers? Do they still even own the show?
Contract negotiation has come a long way since 1967, he seems to be asking for some integrity from people who are known to have none. Good luck and I feel he should get money for merchandise sales for the time as well as royalties for re-runs (but he should be getting those auto anyways)
As for DVD sales and Internet, hmmm. 1. As of today, In Aus, no one gets payed royalties for live streaming on the net, the numbers of hits a vid gets isn’t payed out as royalty.
2. If the series was bought up by an independent years after the show was made that would have been the time to make a claim. If it is owned by another company they have no law stating they have to pay actors a share unless a contract is drawn up stating so.
I think he will get something…not a lot though.

By: Brett Debritz

Brett Debritz — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:35:26 +0000

I think the producers will put up a big fight – and they’ll be backed by other production companies and the networks who don’t want to be in a similar situation. If Bonner wins, it will set a precedent and there’ll be a rush of people wanting to claim residuals.

By: GuanoLad

GuanoLad — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:47:44 +0000

Contracts are contracts, and if it wasn’t in what he signed, then sucks but that’s the way the ball bounces. There are plenty of modern contracts that don’t allow for that kind of residual bonus, and a show from so long ago has even less of a leg to stand on. I think there’s probably some kind of statute of limitations kind of principle the studios can invoke anyway.

By: Richard H

Richard H — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:05:39 +0000

Don’t think he has much hope but i wish him all the best. trouble is who owns that series now? and as an actor are you ever considered for any percentage deals anyway? Writers created it and studio funded it right?