With The Traitors India hosted by Karan Johar, Mafia game creator Dimma Davidoff raises alarm over global IP usage without credit
The Traitors, the global hit reality competition show that recently launched its Indian version hosted by Karan Johar, is now facing heightened scrutiny after Mafia game creator Dimma Davidoff accused the show’s producers of copying his original concept without recognition or permission.
Since its U.S. debut in 2023, The Traitors has drawn comparisons to Mafia, the classic party game created by Davidoff in 1986. And now, with The Traitors India gaining momentum among viewers, the international copyright concern has expanded to one of the world’s largest entertainment markets.
Just like Mafia, The Traitors splits players into two secret factions — the Faithfuls and the Traitors. The Faithfuls aim to identify and eliminate the Traitors during Round Table banishment ceremonies, while the Traitors secretly “murder” a player each night. If even one Traitor remains at the end, the Faithfuls lose the grand prize. All of this unfolds in a luxurious castle setting — including the Scottish Highlands for the original version, and an opulent Indian estate in the local adaptation.
Davidoff: “They Know This Is My Game”
Dimma Davidoff, who invented Mafia while a psychology student in Moscow, recently told Vulture that he only watched The Traitors for the first time this year and was shocked at the similarities.
“Of course, they know about the Mafia game,” Davidoff said. “How can they not? If you do any kind of due diligence, you see that Mafia is my game, under copyright.”
Davidoff maintains copyrights for the Mafia game from 1987, 1992, and 1998, and says his email is even listed on the official rules online. Yet, he claims he has never been contacted by the creators of The Traitors, including for international adaptations like the Netherlands’ De Verraders, which inspired the franchise, or the U.S. and India editions.
“Nothing,” he said. “I tried to contact them through their website portal some time ago but did not get any answer.”
Intellectual Property or Public Domain?
Davidoff admits that game concepts are notoriously tricky in legal terms, as they often fall into a gray area in intellectual property law. However, he insists that this doesn’t mean designers like him should be ignored or excluded when their work is used at a global scale.
“Game designers’ work deserves recognition and reward,” he said. “Not just for me, but for everyone in this field. Not respecting other creators is bad for everyone.”
Davidoff worries that the success of The Traitors — without proper credit — sends a dangerous message to aspiring designers: “Your work can be taken and adapted with no consequences.”
NBC’s own site previously described The Traitors as “basically a more complicated version of the classic party game Werewolf (sometimes known as Mafia).”
While Davidoff says he finds the show entertaining, he called the production’s approach to sourcing “disappointing.”
“They have made an entertaining show, but the way they went about it is disappointing,” he added.
What It Means for The Traitors India
The Indian adaptation of The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar, adds a new layer to this unfolding story. As a key figure in India’s pop culture landscape, Johar brings glitz, drama, and mass appeal to the format — but also draws more attention to the franchise’s origins.
With the Mafia-style format now reaching Indian audiences — many of whom have likely played the game in social or college settings — Davidoff’s claims could resonate even more deeply in a country with a growing indie game development scene.
As of now, Peacock, which distributes the U.S. version of the show, and production teams behind the Indian edition have not commented on the allegations.
Who’s Competing in The Traitors U.S. Season 4?
Despite the controversy, the show is moving full steam ahead.
The U.S. version recently announced its season 4 cast, which includes an all-star lineup from reality TV and entertainment:
- Candiace Dillard Bassett, Dorinda Medley, Lisa Rinna, Caroline Stanbury, and Porsha Williams from Real Housewives
- Stars from Big Brother, Survivor, Love Island
- Mark Ballas (Dancing with the Stars), Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Kristen Kish (Top Chef host), and Donna Kelce, mother of NFL’s Jason and Travis Kelce
A premiere date has not yet been announced.