Dick Clark Productions Faces Globes Lawsuit

LOS ANGELES: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has filed a lawsuit against Dick Clark Productions (DCP), accusing the outfit that produces the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony of breach of contract.

The organizer of the Globes alleges that DCP, which has produced the show for almost 20 years, secretly tried to sign a new broadcast deal with NBC without HFPA’s consent. "DCP acts as though it has unilateral right to license the broadcast rights for the Golden Globe Awards on whatever terms it pleases, without HFPA’s knowledge or authorization," the suit claims. Linda J. Smith of O’Melveny & Myers told the New York Times, “We filed a 68-page complaint that catalogs in great detail how DCP has been trying to steal the HFPA’s most valuable asset."

A DCP statement responded: “The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, knowing it has no case in a court of law, is attempting to try this case in the court of public opinion. We are confident the case has no merit in either venue."