Pirate Master was an idea plundered by Survivor creator Mark Burnett, claims a lawsuit filed by James Papa Friday, according to TMZ.

Papa insists that he copyrighted the idea for a pirate-themed reality show in 2003, four years before that scurvy dog Burnett went and raided the idea and put it on CBS.

Papa is seeking $2 million in damages to fill his treasure chest. That, and maybe a good keelhauling for Burnett.

Pirate Master set sail in May 2007 and pitted 16 wannabe pirates against each other on a ship where they battled for supremacy as captain, participated in nautical challenges, backstabbed their mates, risked mutiny and searched for gold coins. Arr!

Alas, the concept was more fun than the execution, and the Pirate Master ship ran aground early and was yanked from CBS, with its remaining five episodes suffering the ignominious fate of playing out online. The show’s tale of woe doesn’t end there. Shortly afterward, former contestant Cheryl Kosewicz died from an apparent suicide following the recent suicide of her boyfriend.

Source: Zap2It

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