It was reported on WrestlingObserver.com that Zuffa LLC, owners of Ultimate Fighting Championship, have filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court of Nevada against Showtime and ProElite, the companies behind Elite Xtreme Combat.
Zuffa contended copyright infringement on the February 10, 2007 EliteXC event that aired on Showtime. Zuffa argues that the show used footage from UFC Japan, UFC 16, UFC 17, UFC Brazil, UFC 22, and UFC 45 in violation of the company’s property.
The lawsuit also argues that use of the footage “created a likelihood of confusion among the public as to the original source of [the footage] and contributed to the dilution of the distinctive quality of Zuffa’s and the UFC’s work in the marketplace.”
Neither Showtime nor ProElite have responded to their claims before the court. It is entirely possible that the companies have not been served with the complaint as of yet (talk about f*ckin’ embarrassing).
Zuffa has demanded a jury trial in the filing.
