CBS Accuses ABC of Ripping off 'Big Brother' With Upcoming Show "Glass House'

Last edited by King Silva on Thu 24 May 2012, 4:18 am; edited 1 time in total

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/04/cbs-accuses-abc-of-ripping-off-big-brother/

Not surprisingly, CBS isn’t taking too kindly to a plan by ABC to launch its own Big Brother-like show called Glass House. Today, the Eye via the Los Angeles legal firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher fired off a letter warning that ABC “will be acting at their own peril if they continue to proceed.” The letter also reminded Disney president Anne Sweeney and general counsel Alan Braverman that CBS has been the exclusive U.S. licensee of Big Brother since 2000 and that it has been an annual staple on the network’s summer lineup.

“CBS has instructed us to pursue all available remedies if this course of conduct continues,” the letter said.

ABC recently announced plans to develop its own reality show that features 14 contestants living together in a house rigged with cameras. According to Gibson, Dunn, the show relies heavily on several former employees of the CBS franchise, which remains a cult fave. “At least 15 other former CBS Big Brother staff and crew — all of whom have signed non-disclosure agreements — have joined ABC and are apparently directly involved in the development and production of Glass House,” the letter said.

Separately, CBS released this statement today: “With the striking similarities to Big Brother and their concerted effort to recruit a large number of former staff from the show, we don’t see how ABC can produce this new series without infringing on our rights.”

A response from ABC is apparently forthcoming. Stay tuned…

there are so many spin offs of these type of shows. i probably wouldnt watch this one.

http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/23/abc-cbs-big-brother-glass-house-lawsuit/

ABC is firing back at CBS -- claiming its new realty show "Glass House" is NOT stealing trade secrets from "Big Brother" ... because NOTHING about Big Brother is a secret.

The Alphabet network has filed a response in its legal battle with CBS -- asking a judge to throw out the "over-the-top" lawsuit ASAP.
In the docs, ABC says the insinuation that "Glass House" is stealing top secret info is "outrageous" ... because "there is nothing secret about editing a program with multiple feeds together or developing a narrative structure for it. That is reality TV."

ABC also says hidden cameras, putting contestants in isolation and doing contests is nothing special ... and shouldn't be considered a trade secret.

In the suit, ABC claims there are significant differences between the two shows -- notably "Glass House" will be a team-oriented game ... whereas "Big Brother" contains an "every man for himself theme."

ABC scoffs at CBS' claim that 19 former "Big Brother" employees -- all of whom know the secret sauce -- defected to "Glass House." The network claims the reason so many BB employees left is because "Brother" producers run a reality TV sweat shop -- claiming "it is common knowledge in the industry that low pay and the 24 hours a day/7 days a week filming schedule makes life on the Big Brother set difficult."

The suit adds, "That employees prefer a different show with benefits and better hours is hardly evidence of a trade secret violation."

ABC is asking the court to deny every demand CBS has made -- so it can produce its show in a timely and cost-effective manner.

A judge has yet to rule on the matter.

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