A more ruthless enemy than the Cylons

Doesn't this just make you want to run out and buy NBC a fruit basket? The Peacock Network, which owns the SciFi Channel, has decided the popular "webisodes" airing on SciFi.com aren't narrative storytelling at all, and are instead just glorified commercials. Which means there's the requisite pitched legal battle brewing:

NBC Universal, the studio behind "Battlestar," refused to pay residuals or credit the writers of these "Webisodes," claiming they're promotional materials. So "Battlestar" executive producer Ron Moore said he wouldn't deliver any more of them, including the 10 that were already in the can. In response, NBC Universal seized the Webisodes and filed charges of unfair labor practices against the Writers Guild of America, which advised Moore and producers of three other NBC Universal shows not to deliver any new Web content until they had a deal over residuals.

This is, of course, a bald-faced rights grab by NBC, which sees a huge profit potential in future web-based entertainment--profit which gets even huger if you don't actually have to pay the people who produce it for you. Sheesh.

Now Playing: Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Plays Live