Rachael Ray Sued For Copyright Infringement

Rachael Ray has had a prominent career as a celebrity cook and a TV personality. However, Ray’s company was once sued over allegations of copyright infringement. Notably, the lawsuit involved a show that became a big part of Ray’s career.

A Lawsuit Claimed Inside Dish With Rachael Ray Resembled A Rejected Food Network Pitch

Ray is known for hosting The Rachael Ray Show and her podcast, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead. Before that, however, Ray was known for starring in a variety of Food Network projects.

This includes Inside Dish with Rachael Ray. Premiering back in 2004, Ray prepared a meal or dined out with a celebrity guest. Such guest stars included Gloria Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Cheech Marin, and Tony Danza.

Rachael Ray and John M. Cusimano - Instagram — Rachael Ray and John M. Cusimano – Instagram

However, it’s come to light that the show was the subject of a 2005 lawsuit. The suit was against Watch Entertainment, Ray’s husband’s John Cusimano’s company. Other defendants also included Television Food Network and CBS Television Distribution Group.

In the suit, Jeffrey Zella and Ross Crystal sued for reasons of copyright infringement and breach of implied contract. They claimed that they contact the Food Network president, a colleague of their, to pitch their series, Showbiz Chefs. However, according to The U.S. Sun, they were told, “Thanks for thinking about us and sending along the sample script. We have no interest in celebrities at all. Every time we do something of this nature it fails.”

When a new president took over in 2004, Zella and Crystal alleged their idea was reused for Inside Dish. As they explained, their pitch was for a “30-minute interview/cooking for featuring celebrities cooking their favorite dishes in their own kitchens.”

The pitch continued, “In addition to sharing their favorite recipes, celebrity guests will open their homes to the viewer providing a glimpse into their lifestyles,” the description in the lawsuit reads. Along the way, we will gain insights into their latest projects – books, films, television series, etc.”

Ray & Cusimano Were Not Named In The Suit

“Showbiz Chefs will be filmed on location in and around the Los Angeles area and will feature a host/interviewer who will participate with the celebrity guest in the cooking experience. A typical episode may include a quick tour of the home/grounds – a few surprises – or, a clandestine grocery-shopping trip to the local market with the celebrity guest.”

Eventually, each episode would return to the kitchen. There, the celebrity guest would prepare their “favorite recipe.” The final segment would be an interview with the celebrity guest about their upcoming projects.

Rachael Ray | YouTube — Rachael Ray – YouTube

The plaintiffs asked for $150,000 for the alleged copyright infringement. For their part, the defendants denied the allegations, although they acknowledged receiving the pitch.

Ray and Cusimano were not named in the suit, only the company. Ultimately, however, the lawsuit was dismissed.

Inside Dish did not last long, but it still might have served as a big part of Ray’s career. After all, it was seen as the launchpad for her ABC talk show.

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