SIMON COWELL SUED OVER NEW ABC TV SHOW

A lawsuit to be filed in Federal Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday claims AMERICAN IDOL star Simon Cowell and ABC Television Network conspired to steal the trademarked brand “Million Dollar Idea”, copy the entire premise of a show already airing in national syndication on over 125 television stations, and market that idea as their own.

The DRUDGE REPORT has learned, the federal case is being brought by original “Million Dollar Idea” creators/hosts Jean Golden and Todd Walker. It is a direct response to ABC’s July 13, 2005 announcement of a new show of the same name, “created” by Cowell and “packaged” by CAA.

“From stem to stern, each and every detail of Simon Cowell and ABC’s mock ‘Million Dollar Idea’ is a patent rip-off of Todd and Jean’s four-year labor of love,” said attorney Pierce O'Donnell.

ABC did not return calls for comment early Wednesday.

The lawsuit calls for immediate injunctive relief and unspecified damages.

“It is incredibly ironic that our show, the premise of which is to promote, protect and reward small-town American ingenuity, was itself the victim of corporate theft and greed,” said Jean Golden, co-creator of Million Dollar Idea. “What has happened to us is every inventor/entrepreneur’s worst nightmare: having your idea stolen. The arrogance of Simon Cowell and ABC is beyond comprehension. Can you imagine stealing an idea and not even bothering to change the name of it?”

“We are outraged that Simon Cowell, and ABC Network think that they are above the law,” said Todd Walker. “We were taken aback to see our brand so brazenly stolen by corporate giants.”

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'Idol' Finalists Anwar And Nikko Record On The Road

TAMPA, Florida — The producers behind the American Idols Live Tour might want to invest in a traveling recording studio.

While past outings have seen the winner and runner-up working on albums while traveling across the country



"I've been working on a project for a while, but this 'American Idol' experience gave me a reason to [get it done]." — Anwar Robinson


Anwar Robinson on his upcoming career
Anwar Robinson on his upcoming career

(by flying to studios in bigger cities), no less than five finalists are writing and recording during their spare time on this summer's trek (see "American Idols Live Tour Dates Announced").

Along with Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis (see " 'Idol' Finalist Constantine Maroulis Got A Lot Done At All Those Parties"), Anwar Robinson and Nikko Smith hope to be nearly finished with their albums by the time the tour ends in September.

"I've been working on a project for a while, but this 'American Idol' experience gave me a reason to [get it done]," Robinson said backstage at recent tour stop.

Robinson's genre of choice is gospel music, but he's been exploring other styles with songs he's been writing since "American Idol" ended.

"It's based on a lot of elements of soul, R&B, jazz and gospel," he said. "I was calling it pop soul, but I'm wondering when the pop element is going to come in. I don't know yet, but I know it's definitely soulful."

A music teacher by day, Robinson can play several instruments and is experienced in recording studios, so he's also hoping to collaborate with other artists, including his fellow "Idols."

Read more and see the video interview at MTV news