Cowell denies stealing 'Million Dollar Idea'

Simon Cowell has denied claims that his upcoming reality show is a "patent rip-off" of Million Dollar Idea.

The creators of the nationally-syndicated show launched legal action against Cowell and ABC, the network intending to air the series, last week, alleging that they had stolen everything from the title to key concepts.

"I had never heard of Million Dollar Idea," Cowell insisted to the Media Guardian today. "Our show was never going to be called the Million Dollar Idea, it was going to be called the Inventors. It was always going to be called the Inventors and that's where the confusion arose."

He also confirmed that Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller was progressing with legal action against him over The X Factor. "Where there's a hit there's a writ. I had five writs when I launched X Factor," Cowell explained, adding: "I expect to be in court in November against Simon Fuller."