Bosses at MTV have vowed to fight a potential lawsuit from a writer who alleges he came up with the idea for hit reality show Jersey Shore, branding his claims "utterly without merit".
Christopher Gambale has threatened to sue officials at the network, accusing them of using his outline for a project entitled Guidos: A Reality Series as the basis for their popular programme, about a group of young people living in New Jersey.
But Heather Windt, Vice President of Intellectual Property & Litigation at MTV, insists the theme has been portrayed numerous times in popular culture.
In a letter to Gambale's lawyer, Windt states: "Jersey Shore was not the first work to focus on young Italian Americans. By way of example only, this theme has been explored in works such as Saturday Night Fever, My Cousin Vinny, Kiss Me, Guido, and Growing Up Gotti... The general idea of a show 'exploring the lifestyle of the Brooklyn/New Jersey Guido' is not copyrightable."
MTV executives also plan to take on Gambale in court if he proceeds with a lawsuit.
Windt adds: "MTV believes that your client's claim is utterly without merit. Should your client opt to pursue this matter, please be advised that MTV will vigorously defend the action and when dismissed will pursue all available sanctions, including attorney fees."