Psychic Readers Network, Inc. v. A&E Television Networks, LLC

**Plaintiff:** Psychic Readers Network, Inc. (Delaware corp., principal place of business Ft. Lauderdale, FL) **Defendant:** A&E Television Networks, LLC (owner of Lifetime Network) and Hillionaire Productions, LLC (production company), jointly responsible for the docudrama *Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall* **Core allegation:** Defendants produced and broadcast *Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall* on the Lifetime Network (premiering August 10, 2024) without authorization, reproducing PRN's copyrighted Miss Cleo creative materials, likeness, wardrobe, and taglines (including "Call Me Now"). The film also contains allegedly defamatory false statements about PRN and its officers. **Asserted IP:** - Nine copyright registrations in "Miss Cleo Creatives" (TV commercials, infomercials, tarot deck, book, and other materials), registered August 7, 2002, held by PRN via assignment from subsidiary Radar (Exhibits 1–3; specific registration numbers not stated in complaint text) - "Miss Cleo" trademark, USPTO Serial No. 98201700, first use date July 3, 2000, held by PRN via assignment from subsidiary Oshun 5 Communications (Exhibit 4) **Relief sought:** Statutory damages up to $150,000 per infringement, compensatory and punitive damages, constructive trust over defendants' profits, preliminary and permanent injunction, attorneys' fees, and costs. **Why it matters:** The case tests whether a broadcaster can produce a commercially successful docudrama (debuting to 398,000 viewers, 33% above Lifetime's normal primetime average) incorporating a famous pop-culture persona's trademarked look, feel, and catchphrases without the IP owner's consent.