CBS Sues ABC Over Reality Show THE GLASS HOUSE

The Huffington Post reports that CBS has brought a lawsuit against rival network ABC to stop an upcoming reality series from airing. CBS claims that ABC's THE GLASS HOUSE is "being developed in violation of its copyrights and with secrets obtained from the long-running reality show "Big Brother."

THE GLASS HOUSE will follow contestants who are living together in a house as viewers decide who should be voted out. Nineteen of 'Big Brothers' former staff members are currently working on the new reality show. 

The lawsuit states, "In copying 'Big Brother,' defendants have had an unprecedented and troubling degree of access to CBS's copyrightable expression, as well as CBS's protected trade secrets and other confidential and proprietary information related to the behind-the-scenes development, filming and production of 'Big Brother."

In a statement, ABC denies the accusations and called the lawsuit meritless. "The differences between 'Glass House' and 'Big Brother' are both fundamental and obvious," the network commented, noting interactive elements, audience participation and new technologies that the CBS show did not have.

A federal judge will be tasked with comparing the similarities and differences in the two shows and determining if CBS should be given the injunction and which could possibly lead to millions of dollars in damages.