Tokyo Broadcasting claims 'Wipeout' ripoff

October 06, 2008 Leading Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against ABC, charging that summer hit "Wipeout" is "a blatant copycat" of several of its classic Japanese competition series. TBS owns the Japanese copyright to the obstacle course series "Takeshi's Castle," co-owns the right to Spike TV's "MXC" (which uses footage from "Castle") and owns the copyright to competition series "Sasuke" (whose dubbed repeats air under the title "Ninja Warrior" on G4). Successful reality series often draw lawsuits from parties alleging the concept was stolen.

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