Warner Bros. Challenges Fox Nation’s The Vow

Warner Bros. is challenging Fox Nation’s planned dating series The Vow, alleging that its promotion improperly uses intellectual property and goodwill associated with The Bachelor. The studio has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the show’s release and pursuing damages, according to reporting on the complaint. The allegations have not been adjudicated, and Fox disputes them. The dispute concerns promotional material for the series, hosted by former Bachelor host Chris Harrison. Warner Bros. says the trailer uses recognizable elements of its franchise, including red roses and imagery it says evokes the Bachelor Mansion. In a cease-and-desist letter sent to Fox Nation on September 18, Warner Bros. said it had not seen the series itself and was addressing how it had been promoted. Fox Nation rejected the claims in a response dated September 24. It argues that falling rose petals and broad dating-show concepts are not exclusive to Warner Bros., and says The Vow takes a different approach by emphasizing commitment and meaningful relationships. Fox also characterized the legal challenge as an effort to restrict promotion of a competing dating show.