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Gladness Jukic, a 32-year-old singer performing under the name Bossiie, has launched a £10 million lawsuit against the BBC, claiming the broadcaster stole her idea for the hit reality show ‘Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star’. The lawsuit alleges that Jukic’s original pitch for a similar show was appropriated by the BBC, leading to the creation of the popular program that premiered in 2019 on BBC3.
Allegations of Concept Theft
Jukic claims that in May 2018, she sent a nine-page PowerPoint pitch titled “Bossiie: 10-Minute Makeover” to BBC commissioning editors. Her pitch, according to Jukic, featured self-taught YouTube makeup artists competing in a format with commercial tie-ins to beauty brands, similar to what was later featured in ‘Glow Up’.
However, the BBC denies these allegations, insisting that they never received the pitch due to the email’s attachment being too large to process. The BBC’s legal representative, Ashton Chantrielle, told the High Court that Wall to Wall Media Ltd, a subsidiary of Warner Bros, had already pitched the concept for ‘Glow Up’ prior to Jukic’s alleged submission. Chantrielle argued, “The concept for ‘Glow Up’ was developed independently and was not influenced by Ms. Jukic’s treatment.”
The Legal Battle and Jukic’s Claims
Jukic is not only seeking financial compensation but also claims ownership of the copyright for the show’s format. She contends that the similarities between her treatment and the show’s execution — including the competitive format and makeup brand tie-ins — justify her demand for compensation.
Despite her claims, the BBC’s legal team insists that the common elements, such as the inclusion of a professional judge and a competition format, are too basic to be protected by copyright law. Additionally, the BBC’s lawyers argue that Jukic’s focus on self-taught YouTubers is notably different from the more professional makeup artists featured on ‘Glow Up’.
Jukic has a history of legal conflicts over ‘Glow Up’. In a previous court case, she lost a battle for a trademark on the title “Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star”, which was contested by Warner Bros, leading to a £2,500 court cost.
The Popularity of ‘Glow Up’
Despite Jukic’s ongoing legal challenge, the ‘Glow Up’ franchise has flourished, becoming a highly popular show with multiple seasons and a strong fan base. Jukic’s lawsuit arrives at a time when the show is at its peak, intensifying the pressure on the BBC to defend its intellectual property rights.
The case is expected to hinge on whether the judge believes there are enough significant similarities between Jukic’s pitch and the final product to warrant a full trial. Jukic is seeking compensation for the alleged emotional and financial distress caused by the claimed copyright infringement.
BBC’s Legal Position and the Future of the Case
The BBC’s barristers have expressed confidence that their defense is strong enough to withstand scrutiny. While the broadcaster acknowledges some similarities between the two concepts, they argue that such elements do not constitute a copyright violation. They also note that there is no proof that Jukic’s email was successfully delivered, further undermining her case.
After a lengthy hearing, the judge has reserved his decision and will announce the ruling at a later date, leaving both parties awaiting the outcome.
For now, Bossiie continues to pursue her claim for both recognition and financial compensation, alleging that the infringement has caused significant harm to her personal and professional life. Whether Jukic can convince the judge to allow her case to move forward remains uncertain, but the ongoing battle highlights the growing tensions between creators, broadcasters, and intellectual property rights in the competitive world of reality television.
