Nick Cannon and Zeus Network are reportedly facing a new lawsuit from Viacom International Inc., which is accusing them of stealing the intellectual property of the iconic MTV series, Wild’ N Out.
They also argue that Cannon is violating his contract with Viacon by hosting the network’s allegedly infringing show, Bad vs. Wild.
George W. Kroup, the attorney in the matter, argued that Zeus intentionally copied elements of Wild’ N Out in developing Bad vs. Wild, knowing that those acts constituted infringements of Viacom’s copyrights.
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He added that Zeus’s collaboration with Mr. Cannon, the longtime host and face of “Wild ‘N Out, in developing Bad vs. Wild, further cements the conclusion that Bad vs. Wild intentionally ripped off Wild ‘N Out to profit off its creative elements, without having to do the work of creating original content itself.
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In Kroup’s opinion, Zeus has caused Cannon to violate his written agreement related to Wild’ N Out.”
He also references some of the show’s more controversial moments. “The damage caused by Zeus’s interference with Mr. Cannon’s contract is magnified by the wave of negative publicity which emanated from Zeus’s unoriginal content and colorist and sizeist stereotyping,” he added. Kroup further accuses Zeus of directly marketing Bad vs. Wild as “Wild ‘N Out on steroids” in promotional materials and of poaching several former cast members and crew of Wild ‘N Out.
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With the lawsuit, Viacom wants a permanent injunction against Zeus to stop Bad vs. Wild production and distribution. Additionally, they seek financial damages, specifically, treble damages for willful infringement. Neither Zeus Network nor Nick Cannon have responded to the allegations.
In other news, Cannon recently made headlines for an interview with Ray J on his We Playin’ Spades podcast. Together the two reflected on the 2002 cult film, Drumline, and how Ray lost out on the lead role to Cannon.
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