AceShowbiz -

ABC has defended itself from allegations that it rips off "Big Brother" for its new show "Glass House". After CBS filed the lawsuit, the Alphabet released a statement saying, "We believe there is no merit to this lawsuit."

"The differences between Glass House and Big Brother are both fundamental and obvious, ranging from Glass House's interactive elements and audience participation to its deployment of cutting edge technologies," the defendants insisted.

In the federal lawsuit filed earlier Thursday, May 10 in United States District Court, CBS claimed "Glass House" is "a carbon copy of 'Big Brother' and an obvious attempt by Defendants to capitalize on its unique success." The network added, "If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then CBS should take pride in ABC's latest reality project...which remarkably employs at least 19 former producers and staff from CBS's hit reality series 'Big Brother'."

The Eyes alleged the Alphabet and its parent The Walt Disney Company of copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition and breach of fiduciary duty, among other complaints. Also mentioned in the lawsuit are former "Big Brother" co-executive producer Kenny Rosen who is now "Glass House" showrunner, and former "BB" supervising producer Corie Henson who now serves as ABC's VP Alternative Programming.

Before filing the lawsuit, CBS had sent a letter to warn that ABC "will be acting at their own peril if they continue to proceed" with the project.