CBS is suing ABC for its upcoming summer reality series 'Life in a Glass House'.
The lawsuit was filed Thursday by CBS for copyright infringement, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, and breach of contract among other things.
The network is not only upset that the concept of the show is similar -- with both series featuring contestants living together in a house fitted with cameras and competing to avoid eviction -- but that the ABC series is employing more than a dozen former 'Big Brother' staff members.
"ABC's reality project employs at least 19 former producers and staff from CBS's hit reality series Big Brother, is a carbon copy of Big Brother and an obvious attempt by Defendants to capitalize on its unique success," says CBS.
CBS charges that showrunner Kenny Rosen, Corie Henson and the others were privy to Big Brother's "confidential and proprietary process" and accuses them of "trade secret misappropriation."
Along with compensation and damages, CBS is asking for a restraining order and permanent injunction from former staff working on the 'Glass House'.
“We believe there is no merit to this lawsuit," responds ABC. "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."
CBS is suing ABC for its upcoming summer reality series 'Life in a Glass House'.
