ABC and CBS fight legally over 'The Glass House'

MUMBAI: The fight between US broadcaster?s CBS and ABC over the latter?s show, ?The Glass House?, continues.

CBS had filed a temporary restraining order to prevent ABC from airing ?The Glass House?. ABC has now retaliated with a counterclaim in court.

ABC has urged a federal judge to reject efforts by CBS to block the premiere of the reality show. It has pointed out differences between the new show and CBS? ?Big Brother?.

CBS has said that it deserves a temporary restraining order because ABC has violated copyright and misappropriated trade secrets through the hiring of 30 former Big Brother employees, including showrunner Kenny Rosen, who was formerly a producer on ?Big Brother?.

ABC said that there was no conspiracy to hire away Big Brother employees. It also noted that in reality TV production, nearly everyone works as a freelancer. It also argued that it has spent $16 million promoting ?Glass House?, which would air after "The Bachelorette." Delaying the show?s premiere could cost nearly 150 people their jobs.

ABC has said that none of the alleged similarities shared by ?Big Brother? and ?The Glass House? involve copyright protectable element.

The show is due to start airing on ABC from 18 June. ?The Glass House? follows 14 contestants as they live together and compete for $250,000. Unlike ?Big Brother?, viewers can vote, manipulating different outcomes within the house.