Lawsuit filed by 'Smallville' producers

LOS ANGELES, March 27 (UPI) -- Producers of "Smallville" allege in a lawsuit Warner Bros. TV is guilty of unfair self-dealing in regards to the U.S. TV series.

The Hollywood Reporter said that "Smallville" executive producers Miles Miller and Alfred Gough, along with Tollin/Robbins Prods., filed a breach of contract and fiduciary duty lawsuit against Warner Bros. and its divisions Friday.

The "Smallville" creators said in the suit, which also names the CW network, that Warner Bros. executives offered "Smallville" broadcast rights to the company's affiliates at discounted prices. The below-market fees resulted in decreased "Smallville" gross revenues, the plaintiffs allege.

In addition, the plaintiffs allege their series was sold in foreign markets as part of a package deal with other shows. As a result of such deals, the producers claim "several series that are less popular than 'Smallville' were allocated a higher per-episode fee than 'Smallville.'"

Warner Bros. offered no comment on the suit, which targets the Warner Bros. divisions of WBTV, Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution and the now-defunct WB network.