Fox Family wins restraining order against CBS

December 1, 2000 by Kimberley Brown

Fox Family Properties has been successful in the first steps of its copyright infringement suit against CBS, Touchstone Television Productions, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). In the suit, Fox claims ownership of the idea behind CBS’ upcoming reality game show CBS Global Adventure. According to Fox attorney Belynda Reck of L.A. law firm O’Donnel & Shaeffer, on November 6, Judge Takasugi ruled in favor of Fox Family on an application for a temporary restraining order. Explains Reck, ‘Touchstone and CBS, among others, will be enjoined from production of the reality game show originally titled Race Around the World.’ Reck says CBS changed the title of the show to CBS Global Adventure shortly after Fox filed suit.

The suit alleges that CAA agent Alix Hartley met with Fox Family to discuss financing a reality program, described as a race around the world, that was allegedly in development for two years. Shortly after this meeting, the suit claims, the defendants worked to steal the show’s concept. The result is CBS Global Adventure, a contest that sees eight pairs of people competing to be the quickest to hit 11 cities in 30 days. The contestants start and end in New York and must complete certain tasks at each location.

‘Judge Takasugi stated in the hearing that Fox Family had raised serious questions going to the merits of our case, and that the balance of harms tempted sharply in favor of Fox Family,’ says Reck. She adds that the temporary restraining order was to last until November 20th. At press time, the judge was set to decide whether to issue

a preliminary injunction. Reck also explains that the trial may be expedited, taking place in December, as opposed to the usual year-long wait. ‘We both want to air our shows and get our shows produced,’ she says. ‘For Fox Family, it’s a large financial commitment to be producing shows it can’t air.’ Reck would not give specifics about the dollars at stake.