The reality fashion show "Project Runway" will not be able to strut its stuff on the Lifetime TV channel, a judge ruled Friday.

A preliminary injunction was ordered by New York Supreme Court Justice Richard B. Lowe in a lawsuit filed by NBC Universal against the Weinstein Co., which produces the hit reality series hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum.

NBC Universal had aired the series on its Bravo channel. It sued Weinstein after the production company made a reported $150 million deal with Lifetime for the show.

The temporary injunction bars Weinstein from taking "Project Runway" or any spinoff to Lifetime and contended that evidence showed that Weinstein violated NBC's "right of first refusal" for the show.

Weinstein Co. said in a statement that it intended to appeal the decision, which was applauded by NBC Universal.

Lifetime said it was disappointed with the ruling and that it will "pursue all measures" to uphold its agreement with Weinstein for the show's sixth season.

Also part of the judge's ruling, Lifetime and Weinstein cannot promote, market or air "Project Runway."

NBC was ordered to put up a $20 million bond; Weinstein had asked the court to set a $200 million bond, which it said was the value of its deal with Lifetime.

In its lawsuit, NBC alleged that Weinstein moved "Project Runway" because NBC balked at the attempt to bundle the series with other Weinstein properties that NBC wasn't interested in.

Weinstein said that there was no right of first refusal in the contract and that NBC Universal was offered the deal and was outbid.

The parties were ordered to return to court Oct. 15.

"Project Runway," now in production in Los Angeles, was expected to start airing in January on Lifetime.

Recommend (0)

|  Comments (0)

|  Email

|  Share

Share  Facebook Digg del.icio.us