TLC sues Jon Gosselin for breach of morals clause, exclusivity

By Eriq Gardner

Jon Gosselin is being sued for failing to meet the obligations of his contract.

Discovery Talent Services, which secures the services of individuals who appear on Discovery shows like TLC, has filed its lawsuit in Maryland Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, Gosselin signed a new deal in 2008 for "Jon & Kate Plus 8" that provided his services and his family's services in taping and promoting the program exclusively. The deal promised he wouldn't do anything inappropriate that offended "social conventions or public morals or decency" or bring TLC into "public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule." It also obligated him to maintain confidentiality of business or operational information concerning the show, and stipulated he would not endorse products or services competitive to the program.

Pretty standard stuff. But according to the complaint, Jon hasn't lived up to his end of the bargain.

The plaintiff cites various breaches of this contract, including photographs and stories of Gosselin intoxicated and in the company of women other than his wife, Gosselin selling his services to other media outlets including a "lucrative arrangement" to appear on "Entertainment Tonight," and Gosselin issuing his own press releases about the show.

On September 29, TLC announced the show would be changed to "Kate Plus 8," but that Jon would continue to appear on the program. Later that day, Gosselin's attorney allegedly requested his client's release from the exclusivity of the contract. TLC declined, and Gosselin sent the network a cease-and-desist letter barring filming of family property.

The plaintiff alleges breach of contract and looks for compensatory damages and disgorgement of money he received as a result of breaches.