&#62;<i>Ibrahim, however, told AmLaw that Conan might have som wiggle-room. “Conan will tweak his characters so they are clearly distinguishable, although the underlying concept is the same, because NBC can’t prevent him from going out and making a living by creating competing characters,” Ibrahim says.</i><p>They can't prevent it using only basic IP law but they can prevent it by contract. If the exit agreement includes a non-compete clause for example.