A New York City Judge has dismissed a lawsuit against pop singer Jennifer Lopez from a writer who accused the star of stealing his idea for a television series. Jack Bunick filed suit at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan claiming 2006 drama series South Beach, which was executive produced by the star, was too similar to the plot of a pilot episode he wrote in 1999 for a program called South Beach Miami. Bunick named Lopez, United Paramount Network (UPN) and CBS Television in the suit.But Judge Richard Berman tossed the lawsuit out of court on yesterday declaring there to be adequate evidence to take the case to trial.The judge also noted that there was "powerful evidence" that the defendants had created the series independently. Papers filed by Lopez’s lawyers claimed that although the star was an executive producer, she was barely involved in the development and was only brought in at a later stage to "lend celebrity to the show." The show was cancelled after just eight episodes following poor reviews and low viewing figures.Thursday, May 1, 2008
JENNIFER LOPEZ LAWSUIT THROWN OUT
A New York City Judge has dismissed a lawsuit against pop singer Jennifer Lopez from a writer who accused the star of stealing his idea for a television series. Jack Bunick filed suit at the U.S. District Court in Manhattan claiming 2006 drama series South Beach, which was executive produced by the star, was too similar to the plot of a pilot episode he wrote in 1999 for a program called South Beach Miami. Bunick named Lopez, United Paramount Network (UPN) and CBS Television in the suit.But Judge Richard Berman tossed the lawsuit out of court on yesterday declaring there to be adequate evidence to take the case to trial.The judge also noted that there was "powerful evidence" that the defendants had created the series independently. Papers filed by Lopez’s lawyers claimed that although the star was an executive producer, she was barely involved in the development and was only brought in at a later stage to "lend celebrity to the show." The show was cancelled after just eight episodes following poor reviews and low viewing figures.
