Nick Cannon has discovered himself on the heart of a authorized showdown after Viacom Worldwide Inc. filed a lawsuit claiming the actor and tv host helped Zeus Community rip off his long-running MTV collection, Wild’ N Out.
In line with the swimsuit, Zeus’s Dangerous vs. Wild is not only an imitation however a full-scale copy of the hit Hip-Hop improvisational comedy present, full with the identical set design, format, and even the host himself.
Viacom accuses Zeus of blatantly swiping its mental property.
“Zeus deliberately copied components of Wild’ N Out in growing Dangerous vs. Wild, understanding that these acts constituted infringements of Viacom’s copyrights,” mentioned George W. Kroup, an legal professional representing Viacom.
“Zeus’s collaboration with Mr. Cannon—the longtime host and face of “Wild ‘N Out—in growing Dangerous vs. Wild additional cements the conclusion that Dangerous vs. Wild deliberately ripped off Wild ‘N Out to revenue off its artistic components, with out having to do the work of making unique content material itself. “
The swimsuit claims that Dangerous vs. Wild adopted Wild’ N Out’s signature options, together with two rival groups, stay viewers participation, movie star visitor appearances, DJ-integrated scoring, and championship prizes—components Viacom alleges are unmistakable logos of its model.
Including to the controversy is Nick Cannon and his involvement.
The lawsuit claims his position because the host of Dangerous vs. Wild straight violates his contract with Viacom, which prohibits him from participating in initiatives that compete with or imitate Wild’ N Out.
“Zeus has precipitated Mr. Cannon to violate his written settlement associated to Wild’ N Out,” mentioned Kroup, emphasizing what Viacom describes as intentional interference by Zeus Community in its contractual relationship.
Viacom alleges that Zeus compounded the injury by advertising the brand new present as a high-octane model of Wild’ N Out, reportedly tagging it as “Wild ‘N Out on steroids” in promotional supplies.
Additional, the community accuses Dangerous vs. Wild of tarnishing the repute of Wild’ N Out by that includes content material the lawsuit calls dangerous and offensive, like racial and gender stereotyping, specific imagery, and glorification of violence—components far faraway from the unique present’s “good-natured humor,” in line with Kroup.
“The injury attributable to Zeus’s interference with Mr. Cannon’s contract is magnified by the wave of unfavorable publicity which emanated from Zeus’s unoriginal content material and colorist and sizeist stereotyping,” Kroup added referencing the present’s controversial “Lightskin vs. Darkskin’ episode.
Along with Cannon, the lawsuit additionally names a number of former Wild ‘N Out solid members and crew who now work with Zeus on the competing collection.
Viacom claims this collaboration blurs the road between the 2 exhibits, creating confusion for viewers who could imagine the productions are formally affiliated.
The lawsuit seeks a everlasting injunction to halt Dangerous vs. Wild’s manufacturing and distribution and monetary damages, together with treble damages for willful infringement.
Viacom can be asking for Zeus handy over earnings made out of Dangerous vs. Wild and reimburse all authorized charges.
Zeus Community has but to publicly reply to the allegations.
