MacFarlane sued for allegedly stealing `Ted` idea

Los Angeles: Former Oscar-host and filmmaker Seth MacFarlane is being sued for allegedly stealing the idea for his 2012 movie `Ted` from popular web-series `Charlie the Abusive Teddy` and `Acting School Academy`.Bengal Mangle Productions launched a lawsuit against the filmmaker, Universal Pictures and producers of the movie at Media Rights Capital, claiming that "Ted" was an "unlawful copy" of its own teddy bear animation.

Bengal said in its copyright infringement lawsuit that Ted, a foul-mouthed teddy bear in the Universal movie, was too similar to Charlie the teddy bear in two different web series "Charlie the Abusive Teddy" and "Acting School Academy". Both aired in 2009 and 2010 on YouTube and other websites. "Charlie and Ted each have a substantially similar persona, verbal tone, verbal delivery, dialogue, and attitude," the lawsuit claimed. MacFarlane and Universal are yet to respond. "Ted" grossed USD 550 million worldwide and has a sequel coming next year.