Oprah Winfrey‘s Network (OWN) is in hot water after a writer accused the station of stealing their idea for the show “Love Is.”
The Blast obtained documents that writer Amber Brenner filed a federal lawsuit against the network as well as producer couple, Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil.
Brenner claimed that she wrote a screenplay for “Luv & Perversity in the East Village” which is very similar to the plot of the hit OWN show. “LPEV’s” is “about loving a person who is detrimental to her own life and takes the readers on a journey that explores love in the context of such an abusive relationship.”
The main character in the screenplay is supposed to be a young, Black, attractive entertainment professional who falls in love with a dominant man the changes her life.
Back in 2106, Brenner alleged that she emailed Salim with her screenplay idea and he replied that he enjoyed it. Brenner claimed Salim and Mara Brock took her idea and pitched it to OWN as “Love Is.”
Brenner is suing for damages and is seeking an injunction.
Back in June, “Love Is” premiered on OWN and was recently renewed for a second season.