Chris Harrison faces legal challenge over new dating show 'The Vow'

Warner Bros. Television has issued a cease and desist letter to Fox News Media and Lionsgate regarding promotional materials for Chris Harrison's upcoming dating show, "The Vow." The letter, dated September 18, alleges that advertisements for the Fox Nation series, which features the former host of "The Bachelor," contain elements too similar to the long-running ABC franchise.

According to the letter, promotional materials for "The Vow" include an image of rose petals, a man in a tuxedo holding a rose, and on-screen text stating, "The Bachelor... the women... the drama." Warner Bros. TV argues that these elements, combined with Harrison's appearance, constitute an attempt to "capitalize on and 'ride on the coattails'" of "The Bachelor's" intellectual property and goodwill, potentially violating trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws.

"Taken together, the above represents a plain attempt to capitalize on and 'ride on the coattails' of WB's instantly recognizable intellectual property and the Franchise's goodwill in violation of, inter alia, state and federal trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws," the letter states. "Without having seen the Series itself, we cannot comment on it and reserve all rights in connection therewith. To be clear, though, we have no objection to Fox and Lionsgate releasing a dating show hosted by Chris Harrison in and of itself. But thus far, Fox and Lionsgate have promoted the Series entirely on the back of the Franchise, not on its own merits."

Fox Nation responded on September 24, asserting that Warner Bros. was overreaching in its claims and attempting to suppress the promotion of "The Vow," which is slated to premiere in November. Fox argued that Warner Bros. does not hold exclusive rights to imagery of falling roses or the colloquial use of the term "The Bachelor" to describe a single man.

"While FOX Nation respects the intellectual property rights of others, you wrongly assume that Warner Bros. holds any rights whatsoever in a falling roses motif or in the words 'The Bachelor' when used colloquially to describe a single man," Fox stated in its response. The network further contended that the promotional stills highlighted by Warner Bros. omit the show's clear purpose: to "offer a different approach" by focusing on "meaningful relationships, commitment and building a life together."

Fox characterized Warner Bros.' letter as "malicious and vindictive," suggesting its primary aim was to prevent Harrison and Fox Nation from promoting a competing dating show rather than to protect legitimate copyright and trademark interests. "The Vow exhorts its participants and viewers to 'Choose Love.' We trust Warner Bros. will do the same and drop its pursuit of these meritless claims," Fox concluded.

"The Vow" is scheduled for six weekly episodes beginning November 11. The series marks Harrison's return to Fox Nation after his 2021 departure from "The Bachelor." Harrison hosted "The Bachelor" franchise for nearly two decades before stepping down following controversy over his remarks regarding an "un-woke" contestant's past actions.

Earlier this year, Harrison began advertising for the new series, then titled "Traditional Love," which sought singles interested in "dating for a traditional marriage" with an emphasis on clear roles, long-term commitment, and dating with intention.