Chris Harrison faces lawsuit over new show «The Vow»
2 october 2026 в 19:13
Warner Bros. TV has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Fox Nation regarding the new dating show hosted by Chris Harrison titled The Vow. The letter was sent on September 18 and accuses Fox Nation of copying elements from The Bachelor.
The document claims that the promotional materials for The Vow represent «an obvious attempt to capitalize on and 'ride the coattails' of Warner Bros.' intellectual property and the goodwill of the franchise, violating trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws». The letter also emphasizes that Warner Bros. does not oppose the release of a dating show with Harrison, but currently, Fox and Lionsgate are promoting it based on the franchise’s fame rather than its own merits.
Specifically, the letter points out the use of roses in the promotional materials, as this motif is associated with The Bachelor franchise. It also highlights a graphic used in The Vow’s advertising, which Warner Bros. believes evokes associations with «the Bachelor Mansion».
Fox Nation responded on September 24, denying the allegations of copying The Bachelor. The response claims that The Bachelor does not have rights to the falling rose motif, as this trope has been used in pop culture before, including in films such as Beauty and the Beast, Moulin Rouge, and American Beauty. Additionally, Fox Nation stated that Warner Bros. does not own the rights to the word «bachelor» in a colloquial sense.
Katherine Moran Mix, executive vice president of Fox News Media, noted that Warner Bros.' letter is not aimed at protecting legitimate interests but at restricting Fox Nation and Chris Harrison from promoting a competing show. She expressed hope that Warner Bros. would withdraw its «baseless demands».
The Vow is set to premiere on November 11, with Harrison hosting six episodes that will air weekly. Harrison previously hosted The Bachelor and its spinoffs from 2002 until his controversial departure in 2021.
The document claims that the promotional materials for The Vow represent «an obvious attempt to capitalize on and 'ride the coattails' of Warner Bros.' intellectual property and the goodwill of the franchise, violating trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws». The letter also emphasizes that Warner Bros. does not oppose the release of a dating show with Harrison, but currently, Fox and Lionsgate are promoting it based on the franchise’s fame rather than its own merits.
Specifically, the letter points out the use of roses in the promotional materials, as this motif is associated with The Bachelor franchise. It also highlights a graphic used in The Vow’s advertising, which Warner Bros. believes evokes associations with «the Bachelor Mansion».
Fox Nation responded on September 24, denying the allegations of copying The Bachelor. The response claims that The Bachelor does not have rights to the falling rose motif, as this trope has been used in pop culture before, including in films such as Beauty and the Beast, Moulin Rouge, and American Beauty. Additionally, Fox Nation stated that Warner Bros. does not own the rights to the word «bachelor» in a colloquial sense.
Katherine Moran Mix, executive vice president of Fox News Media, noted that Warner Bros.' letter is not aimed at protecting legitimate interests but at restricting Fox Nation and Chris Harrison from promoting a competing show. She expressed hope that Warner Bros. would withdraw its «baseless demands».
The Vow is set to premiere on November 11, with Harrison hosting six episodes that will air weekly. Harrison previously hosted The Bachelor and its spinoffs from 2002 until his controversial departure in 2021.
© Kolganov Andrey
