'American Idol' Creator Sues Fox For Millions in 'X Factor' Money

According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Fuller negotiated a hefty executive producer fee and credit on X Factor as part of a settlement of a 2004 copyright-infringement lawsuit against Cowell when X Factor launched in the U.K. Fox, which airs Idol and will debut X Factor in September, and Fremantle North America, which produces both shows, are now refusing to honor that deal, according to the suit.

"Fox and Fremantle made hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to the creative efforts of Fuller," the suit states. "Now, when it is time to finally perform on these unequivocal promises, Fox and Fremantle refuse to provide Fuller his executive producer credit for Defendants' new television show, The X Factor, and refuse to pay Fuller an executive producer fee 'commesurate with his duties and stature in the entertainment industry.' Defendants refusal to honor their promises made to Fuller is particularly malicious given that but for Fuller's agreement, the X Factor show would not be able to broadcast in the United States at all."