While NBC and Ryan Seacrest were all sorts of excited to announce their new reality project, Momma's Boys (apply here!), last week, at least one person wasn't to thrilled.

That would be Lutfu Murat Uckardesler, who claims to have invented the show's format (slogan: "mothers of eligible bachelors help their sons pick the right woman") with Perfect Bride, which has found ratings success in Turkey, Italy, across the Middle East.

"Last week, I was surprised when our clients started calling and sending emails of congratulation to us on our U.S. sales," writes a representative of Uckardesler. "I was surprised as we had neither sold rights nor entered into any negotiations. Reading the press releases from NBC and Ryan Seacrest Productions, I was shocked to discover that even their wording was identical; 'Mothers are now choosing the perfect brides for their momma’s boys.'"

Last week, NBC announced a new primetime reality show, “Momma’s Boys.” Scheduled for early fall with Ryan Seacrest as executive producer, this dating show brings together mothers, their sons and potential brides all under the same roof. Through a process of elimination, the mothers set out to choose a wife for their son. We at Global Agency represent this show on an exclusive basis. The show’s original name is "The Perfect Bride."

Last week, I was surprised when our clients started calling and sending emails of congratulation to us on our U.S. sales. I was surprised as we had neither sold rights nor entered into any negotiations. Reading the press releases from NBC and Ryan Seacrest Productions, I was shocked to discover that even their wording was identical; “Mothers are now choosing the perfect brides for their momma’s boys.”

This was no coincidence. This format was created in 2004 by my client Lutfu Murat Uckardesler. It has been widely broadcast in Turkey, Italy, across the Middle East and optioned by many territories. Mr Uckardesler based “The Perfect Bride” on an old Turkish tradition where sons must have full approval from their mothers before they marry. If the mother rejects the girl, she will never be accepted into the family. This is obviously not an American custom.

The deep traditional/cultural roots of this format led to a phenomenal success in Turkey. In the grand finale show of the first season, “The Perfect Bride” achieved a staggering 71.1% audience share, breaking all ratings records. A source of great pride in Turkey, in the past few years, the show has gone on to receive many more awards and is in the running for an International Emmy this year. “The Perfect Bride” has been featured in almost all major international newspapers and attended most of the television exhibitions. The industry is well aware of the format, that the show has representation and that rights must therefore be acquired.

After reading the press about “Momma's Boys,” I immediately contacted NBC, Ryan Seacrest Productions and Glassman Media who will be producing the show. They have neither replied to my emails nor returned my calls. This is clearly a copyright infringement case. As an agent, my priority is to protect the rights of my client. We will take all the legal action necessary to prevent this show from going on the air unless they acquire the rights from us.

Izzet Ressam Pinto

On behalf of Global Agency