Exterminate Licensing

A copyright licensing dispute prevents "TV's most evil villains," the Daleks, from appearing in the BBC's latest Dr. Who series. BBC News: No Daleks in Doctor Who's return.

Fans had hoped to see the Daleks' return in the series, scheduled for release on BBC One in early 2005, but feared copyright issues might stand in the way.

The BBC spokeswoman said: "The BBC offered the very best deal possible but ultimately we were not able to give the level of editorial influence that the Terry Nation estate wished to have."

But an agent for the Nation estate accused the BBC of ignoring copyright laws and said the corporation was trying to "ruin the brand of the Daleks".