Cowell vs. Fuller in 'Idol' legal bout
Sparring music mavens may settle out of court
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Cowell is being sued by Fuller for alleged copyright infringement. He claims Cowell stole the format of "Pop Idol," created by his 19 Entertainment TV, for hit U.K. TV talent skein, "X-Factor."
But Cowell, in the throes of re-negotiating his Fox contract for his starring role in "American Idol," has dismissed the suit as "utterly ridiculous."
Fuller is also suing for breach of contract, alleging that some of "X-Factor's" production team worked on "Pop Idol" after they had signed contracts preventing them working for rival shows.
"American Idol" is a key Fox show and unless the two men are able to reconcile their differences its future prospects looks grim.
The New York Times reported that Fox executives "said they had reason to fear they could lose Cowell's future services if the trial even starts."
Yesterday the case was twice adjourned in the High Court amid speculation that the two showbiz titans, who collaborated on "Pop Idol," were trying to broker an agreement.
Website Broadcastnow says the deal is believed to involve Fuller winning a 20% cut in profits generated by "X Factor," a big Saturday night hit for ITV1 in Blighty made for the web by FremantleMedia, also accused of breaching copyright.
In return it is reported that Cowell would get a bigger percentage of profits — between 30 and 40% — from "American Idol."
Both parties are declining to comment as they were conspicuously absent from London's High Court today (Nov. 24).
It is not only the relationship between the two mavens that is exciting press comment in the U.K. One of "X Factor's" judges, Irish pop svengali Louis Walsh reportedly walked out of the show after Cowell called him "an idiot" and fellow judge, Sharon Osbourne, tossed cold water on him during Saturday's edition.
In all the shenanigans, one certain winner is ITV1, whose ratings for "X-Factor" look set to get still hotter.
