Date: 16th July 2014

Seth MacFarlane Sued Over Source Of ‘Ted’ Idea.


Seth MacFarlane, Universal Pictures and Media Rights Capital are being sued for alleged copyright infringement over their comedy Ted (2012).

The suit, which was filed on Tuesday 15th July by Bengal Mangle Productions, claims that Ted “is an unlawful copy” of its own animated teddy, who was featured in two different web series, Charlie The Abusive Teddy and Acting School Academy, which aired in 2009 and 2010 on YouTube and FunnyOrDie.com.

According to Variety, the suit alleges that Charlie and Ted are similar in appearance and behaviour.

One extract reads: "Both Charlie and Ted reside in a substantially similar environment, including that both Charlie and Ted spend a significant amount of time sitting on a living room couch with a beer and/or cigarette in hand."

"Charlie and Ted each have a substantially similar persona, verbal tone, verbal delivery, dialogue, and attitude."

The suit also highlights several scenes from Ted which are apparently similar to those shown in the Charlie episodes.

There has been no comment yet from MacFarlane, Universal or Media Rights Capital.

Ted, released in 2012, was directed, co-written and produced by MacFarlane and grossed $550 million worldwide. A sequel is expected to be released in June 2015.

Source: Press Release