http://media.guardian.co.uk/

Fuller's argument would be strengthened a little if his own show wasn't just a blatant rip-off of virtually every other reality show, particularly Popstars.

Surely Granada should be suing X-Factor for it being a copy of its Rivals show.

Fuller's such an idiot. This case - like all the others - will get absolutely nowhere.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcas...301835,00.html

And Fuller should be suing ITV/Granada for Popstars The RIvals being a rip-off of Pop Idol !!!

Welcome the the merry-go-round.

The whole thing is so incestous maybe the new show should be called the X-eyed Factor !!

S.

i smell a PR stunt.

Possible, The X Factors ratings werent exactly high, I'm sure it will be in the papers and boosted those that watch the X factor over the next few weeks.

hehehe. Like your style.

Defo the work of the spinmeister, Mr Max Clifford. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Clifford handled Fuller's PR as well.

The Two Simons must think we're all mugs.

i am surprised that max clifford isn't in tony blairs cabinet, or maybe he just dosn't pay enough.

I think your right.

I can tell you that there is no rat here, no publicity stunt....

19 have been smarting ever since Xfactor was announced, so much so that they have severed ties with BMG (not a decision you take lightly).

The Xfactor people are actually shitting themselves that if this legal action is sucessful, this is a very real possibility that the series could be stopped in its tracks.... would be interesting if that happened mid series......

The problem for 19 will be proving the 'infringement' as there is no actual legal way protect a series 'format'....

19/Fremantle had an agreement with the PopStars people over the two shows... Hence outside of the UK Pop Idol was never called 'POP' only idol something..... that is why those two existed side by side......... but with xfactor, war has broken out

according to this mornings Daily Mirror, Simon Fuller is demanding ITV cancel tonights show. don't think theres much chance, but I don't think its a PR stunt. It also says the rift could mean Cowell is dropped from American Idol.

Yeah I agree, seems like a stunt. No way would Fuller have let this show get this far without checking it out first, and Cowell isn't that stupid either.

He isn't stupid, but he is arrogant.... maybe he thought he could get away with it? I don't know.... I'd be amaazed if they hadn't checked it all out too though.....

The format is blatant mix of Pop Idol/Popstars the Rivals (both of which Nigel Lythgoe was involved in - is is involved in this one too?), I'd hope that they wouldn't pull the show , if Fuller wins, and they'd settle financially, but I guess it would depend on how nasty things got?

Mind you didn't Popstars change its format to copy Pop Idol when they did Popstars the Rivals.... in the original you just saw the auditions etc, but in the second series when they came out of the auditions wasn't Davina waiting for them??

It's all so incestuous, I'm amazed that anyone would even attempt to sue!

Does this mean that there would be problems with Nicki (from 19?) and Simon (BMG) both doing Pop Idol again?

Oh come on.... the legal action won't be successful and EVERYONE knows it. How? Because not a single one of these cases has ever been successful - ever!

The Popstars/Idol dispute was settled out of court.

Fuller must know that Pop Idol isn't an original format, and therefore doesn't have a leg to stand on.

I'd be very surprised if he's trying to stop the series, as he'll only end up annoying ITV.

No, Lythgoe works for 19TV, mainly out in the US now (more money darling). He made the first series of Popstars and was then poached by Fuller for a huge amount of money.

Whenever you see "Max Clifford" in any article, trust me, its a PR stunt.

Fuller and Cowell are on good terms, after all they have collectively made each others fortunes!

There was no dispute, 'Idol' people had an agreement with 'popstars' people that only in the UK would the name POP be used....

Have a search at the various idol formats around the globe, only in GB was it Called POP idol.... eg: American Idol... other formats were xyz idol ..........

Possibly, I know Pop Idol 3 is a gogo for next year, although it was almost a nono (long story)...

Idols is a 19/Fremantlemedia thing, so if fuller is pissed enough, I wouldnt expect to see Cowell in the hot chair next year....

I assumed this show was produced by Fuller untill I read that article!. It's so obviously the same format as pop idol. Ok, no age limits and vocal groups, but the format is almost exactly the same.

Well don't just tease us. Do tell. I'd be v interested to learn why Pop Idol3 was touch and go. Seriously.

He's just in for the money.....looks like it .

Ahhhh, you've missed the vital differences...... going backstage to the judges dressing rooms, plus interviewing the judges.......totally different format.........

i thought the judges were going to compete for a winner, like sharon, louis and simon would each have someone train them and get them to be a winner, if so how is this anything like pop idol/star.

Also could someone explain, who owns what exactly, did fuller do pop stars the rivals?.

Also don't dismiss this being Cowell trying to get fired from his American Idol contract. He's signed to 19TV for that until 2006, but his own company, Simcow has a first look deal with Fox (who also screen Idol) to make any of his own stuff. I'm sure Cowell would prefer Fox to make a USA version of X-Factor rather than Idol, and with all the cranks in the states auditioning (no age limit) the show would probably go down a lot better.