ABC Scandal: Judge Rejects CBS Request To Shut 'Glass House'
A federal judge rejected CBS request to stop ABC's show "Glass House" ahead of its premiere on Monday amid allegations that it is a "Big Brother ripoff.
CBS had filed a request to obtain a temporary restraining order that would stop the show before its June 18 debut. CBS claims that former "Big Brother" employees - hired by ABC- traded secrets to the network and claimed copyright infringement.
Judge Gary Allen Feess, said he was "not persuaded" by CBS' claims of copyright infringement and theft of trade secrets, according to Variety.
Feess said the trade secrets CBS claims ABC stole were not really trade secrets and that the similarities between the two shows are generic ideas and not protected by copyright, Variety reports.
But the case is not closed yet. If ABC is found to be wrong, CBS can shut "Glass House" or get compensation, according to TMZ.
CBS claims that "Glass House" is a "Big Brother" rip-off. The network alleged that ABC employed 19 former "Big Brother" employees for its new show "Glass House."
"The public announcements from ABC and their producers own testimony about 'Glass House' clearly point to a program that will replicate virtually every element of 'Big Brother," CBS said in a statement to Variety.
"And, the deposition testimony included in a our court filing today further demonstrates the brazen lengths that former 'Big Brother' producers have gone to use confidential material, obtained while under our employment, to develop this new show," the network added.
Both reality TV shows are about a group of strangers living together in a house with cameras recording them at all times. In "Big Brother" the houseguests vote each other out while on "Glass House," viewers will help eliminate contestants and control what they do.
CBS first filed the lawsuit on May 10.