ABC to Pay CBS 'Financial Compensation' Over GLASS HOUSE Legal Battle
By: Caryn Robbins Aug. 19, 2013
Variety reports that the legal battle between ABC and CBS over the former's reality series GLASS HOUSE has ended. A deal arrived at through arbitraton will require ABC to fork over "financial compensation" to their competitor due to the show's similar nature to CBS's Big Brother.
In the original law suit, CBS claimed that their production staff from their long-running reality series "appropriated trade secrets from that show in the production of "Glass House." "The producers have admitted that one of them used confidential 'Big Brother' manuals in the production of 'The Glass House,' and they have expressed regret for using this material," CBS said in a statement. "In addition, those involved have pledged not to misappropriate CBS trade secrets in the future."ABC has not commented on the statement.
"Glass House" had a short run on ABC last summer prior to being cancelled. In the reality competition, 14 contestants live together in a house and have cameras following their day to day activities. In addition, the show features weekly challenges and eliminations. The last remaining contestant will win $250,000. The series has been a ratings disappointment for ABC.Videos