Simon Fuller Files Suit Over X Factor Credit

LOS ANGELES: American Idol creator Simon Fuller has lodged a suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against FOX and FremantleMedia, alleging breach of contract over Simon Cowell‘s upcoming U.S. version of The X Factor.

Fuller maintains that he is owed an executive producer credit and fee for the upcoming FOX version of FremantleMedia’s hit format, due to premiere in the fall. The fee and credit were reportedly part of a 2005 settlement between Fuller and Cowell, FOX and FremantleMedia. Fuller had previously filed suit against Cowell over perceived similarities between The X Factor and American Idol (both of which are sold by FremantleMedia). Fuller alleges that FOX and FremantleMedia have failed to comply with that 2005 settlement.

A statement from Fuller’s spokesman said: "Today Simon Fuller filed a legal complaint against Fox Broadcasting Company and Fremantle in the State of California over their refusal to honor a 2005 contract that granted Mr. Fuller an executive producer credit and fees on the X Factor television program in the U.S. Mr. Fuller has prudently attempted to settle this matter privately but the other parties have refused to honor the original contract leaving him no other choice but to pursue legal action."