Jul
20
American Idol creator, Simon Fuller sues for X-Factor cash
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Since Simon Fuller created ‘American Idol’ in 2002 it’s made him a very rich man. But he now claims Simon Cowell and Fox owe him millions more for his part in the success of ‘The X-Factor.’
When Simon Cowell launched ‘X-Factor’ in the UK in 2004, Fuller claimed it was a rip-off and sued. Fox worked out a truce in which Cowell got more cash for appearing on ‘Idol,’ but he had to keep ‘X-Factor’ off US screens until this year. And in return for dropping the lawsuit Fuller got a guaranteed piece of the X-Factor pie.
But Fuller now says neither Fox, nor Fremantle – the firm that makes both shows – will pay up.
“Fox and Fremantle made hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to the creative efforts of Fuller,” says the lawsuit filed in LA’s Superior Court. “When it is time to finally perform on unequivocal promises, Fox and Fremantle refuse to pay Fuller a fee commensurate with his stature.”
So he’s suing for breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel and declaratory relief.
The two Simons have been trying to make more cash out of Idol for years. Fuller (Read more...)