TLC sues Jon Gosselin for breach of morals clause, exclusivity

« Radio public performance bill passes Senate committee | Main | Emanuel, O'Connor, Berkus and Berg share stage at USC Law symposium »

TLC sues Jon Gosselin for breach of morals clause, exclusivity

Fri Oct 16, 2009 @ 10:02AM PST

By Eriq Gardner


Alg_jon_gosselin_court 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.

TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451d69069e20120a644293c970c

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference TLC sues Jon Gosselin for breach of morals clause, exclusivity:


The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. blog focuses on how the entertainment and media industries are impacted and influenced by the law. It is edited by Matthew Belloni with contributions from veteran legal reporter Eriq Gardner and others. Before joining The Hollywood Reporter, Belloni was a lawyer at an entertainment litigation firm in Los Angeles. He writes a column for THR devoted to entertainment law. Gardner is a New York-based writer and legal journalist. Send tips or comments to [email protected]

The Hollywood Reporter
Contact: Patrice Atiee at 323.525.2014 or [email protected]


The Hollywood Reporter is Your Complete Film Resource

The columnists and bloggers who write for The Hollywood Reporter have their collective finger on the pulse of the boxoffice. Martin Grove and the other THR columnists deliver their thoughts on the film industry in an uncompromised style. Subscribe to THR today and get the latest views from these film experts and get the latest movie reviews as well.