X Factor boss Simon Cowell ‘looking into suing The Voice’

X Factor boss Simon Cowell is reportedly looking into suing rival TV talent show The Voice.

  The show, which has versions in 60 countries world wide, uses a knockout chair challenge in some of its European editions. However the X Factor mogul is reportedly looking at taking action as the format is very close to Six Chair Challenge, where contestants on his show have to sing for a place on one of six chairs that guarantee them a place in the next round. The UK version of The Voice doesn't have the chair challenge after X Factor bosses reportedly sought guarantees from ITV when it moved over from the BBC. [caption id="attachment_110065" align="alignnone" width="812"] The Voice UK judges Tom Jones, Jenifer Hudson, Gavin Rossdale and Will.I.Am (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)[/caption] A source at X Factor told The Mirror that Cowell was looking at potential legal action against Talpa, which owns the rights to The Voice. The source was quoted as saying:

“Simon listened to advice but decided to continue with his action against Talpa. He is speaking to lawyers who specialise in format protection.”

A source close to Cowell in his production company Syco said: “Simon’s team identify what factors make any new shows different and what is intellectual property and copyright. This is normal practice.”