Update, Friday noon:
Electus sent this statement to TheWrap: "Ben Silverman has never met or communicated with Mr. Martin, and 'Pedro & Maria' is an original concept that stands on its own creatively. Electus was created to develop next-generation original content, including interactive programming, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. The entire Electus team is excited about 'Pedro & Maria.'"
Earlier:
On Monday at Mip TV, Ben Silverman's Electus announced it was teaming with MTV, Procter & Gamble and "Ugly Betty" herself, America Ferrera, to produce "Pedro & Maria," which they described as "the first-ever interactive telenovela."
Richard Martin, chairman of U.K.-based Funky Formats, told itvt on Wednesday that his company had not only been the first to develop and pitch an interactive telenovela format, but that he had personally pitched the format to Silverman and Chris Grant (Silverman's colleague at his former company, Reveille, and now his partner in Electus Distribution) at Reveille in 2006.
At the time, Reveille "passed on the format," Martin said, adding that he has documentation of the rejection.
Martin said he has contacted his lawyers over his concern that "Pedro & Maria" infringes on his intellectual property rights.
