Alvin Purple (TV series)

In late 1974, Tim Burstall and Hexagon Productions discussed, with ABC, a possible television series based on Alvin Purple. Eventually, ABC made the series in arrangement with Alan Hopgood, who wrote the original screenplay.

During negotiations, apparently neither Burstall nor Alan Finney (of Hexagon) made any claim that they retained rights in Alvin. However, after the ABC had produced several episodes, Burstall and Hexagon became aware that property in the Alvin character belonged to them, and they sued the ABC for breach of copyright.

The ABC were going to commence broadcast on 21 July 1975 but agreed to wait until the matter had been resolved in court.^[5]

In the decision Hexagon Pty Ltd and Ors v The Australian Broadcasting Commission [1981] VR 224, the court held that copyright vested in Hexagon, but they were stopped from enforcing its rights by not seeking to do so, before the ABC commenced its production. It was held that the conduct of Hexagon had been such as to indicate to the ABC that they would not pursue any rights and prohibit the ABC from proceeding.^[6]

• Alvin Purple at IMDb