The Eye accuses the Alphabet of ripping off its hit franchise for the new series, which happens to be produced by at least 18 former employees of 'Big Brother'.
- May 5, 2012
AceShowbiz - CBS isn't happy that ABC is developing a new show which bears striking similarities to "Big Brother". Just days after the latter announced its upcoming project "Glass House", the former, via the Los Angeles legal firm of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, has sent a letter to warn that the Alphabet "will be acting at their own peril if they continue to proceed" with the project.
"CBS has instructed us to pursue all available remedies if this course of conduct continues," the letter also points out. If ABC proceeds with "Glass House", the Eye threatens to sue the Alphabet for violation of the Copyright Act, including breach of non-disclosure agreements and misappropriation of trade secrets.
It's further noted that at least 18 former members of "Big Brother" production staff, who all have signed non-disclosure agreements with the CBS hit franchise, have joined ABC and are working on "Glass House". They include Corie Henson, a former "Big Brother" producer who is now sering as ABC's VP Alternative Programming, and Mike O'Sullivan, a "Big Brother" former supervising producer who is now involved in the production of "Glass House".
"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," so CBS claims in a statement released to media. The network's insider quips, "Given their behavior in this matter, we assume ABC will have no problem when we announce plans for our upcoming new series Dancin' Wid Da Stars," while referring to "Dancing with the Stars".
