Warner Bros. TV will not be accepting a rose from Fox News Media.
Warner Bros. TV sent Fox News Media and Lionsgate a cease-and-desist letter Sept. 18 over a promotional video for "The Vow," an upcoming faith-based dating series helmed by Chris Harrison, the former host of ABC's "The Bachelor."
In a 30-second promotional video, released Sept. 16, Harrison stepped over a fallen rose and said, "Roses fade, true love lasts forever."
In the cease and desist letter, obtained and reviewed by USA Today, Warner Bros. TV alleges falling rose petals featured in the teaser are recognizable symbols of "The Bachelor" and its franchise spinoffs, calling the imagery a "direct copy."
The letter also identifies a man in a suit holding a rose, the words "the bachelor,"
and a mansion featured in the thumbnail as examples of unauthorized use of their intellectual property.
"The initial marketing and promotion for the Series improperly capitalizes on WB’s intellectual property and goodwill in the Franchise," the letter, written by Ahassim Rashid, Warner Bros. vice president of anti-piracy and brand protection, reads.
"Taken together, the above represents a plain attempt to capitalize on and ‘ride on the coattails’ ofWB’s instantly recognizable intellectual property and the Franchise’s goodwill in violation of, interalia, state and federal trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws," the letter states.
The Hollywood Reporter was first to report on the legal dispute. Warner Bros. TV and Lionsgate declined requests to comment.
In a Sept. 24 response, obtained by USA TODAY, Fox News Media denied that "The Vow" replicated any motifs from "The Bachelor" franchise, adding that the falling petals is associated with the romance genre and that the petals "subverts and parodies" dating shows. In addition, the letter stated that the popular ABC franchise has no "monopoly" of the phrase "the bachelor.""Your letter appears designed not to vindicate legitimate copyright and trademark interests, but to restrict FOX Nation and Chris Harrison from promoting a competing dating show," wrote Katherine Moran Meeks, Fox News Media's executive vice president and general counsel. "It is unfortunate that Warner Bros. is targeting Mr. Harrison in this malicious and vindictive manner."
For close to 20 years, Harrison hosted "The Bachelor" and its franchise spinoffs and became known for announcing the final rose, a coveted rose given to the last lady on elimination night.
Harrison will host the Fox Nation's dating series five years after his departure from the Bachelor Nation franchise.
The show follows a similar premise to the franchise that made Harrison a household name: 30-year-old bachelor, Jace Cates, dates 10 single women to find his lifelong partner, only with an explicit focus on faith-based love.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warner Bros. accuses Chris Harrison's new show of copying 'The Bachelor'
