(CN) - New Show Studios, a Pittsburgh company that connects aspiring TV and movie writers with entertainment executives, says in court that a competitor agreed with a comment on its website accusing New Show of being run by a bunch of "scam artists."
     New Show Studios sued Scott Manville and his website, TV Writers Vault, on June 27 in San Diego Superior Court, claiming defamation, libel, unfair competition and false advertisement.
     New Show calls itself "a company designed specifically for everyday people with ideas for screens big and small, including TV shows and movies."
     Calling Manville a "direct competitor," New Show quoted TV Writers' Vault as calling itself a site that offers "writers of both scripted and unscripted television projects a platform of monitored exposure to leading companies and executives involved in the development and production of all forms of televised programming."
     According to the lawsuit, a commenter on TV Writers Vault in a thread called "New Show Studios - Are They Legit?" stated, "Any kind of company or agency that charges any upfront fees or any printout fees are SCAM ARTISTS!!"
     Manville's reply to the comment was defamatory, New Show claims.
     "Agreed. And agents only take 10 percent, not 15 or 20," Manville allegedly wrote.
     In another comment, Manville allegedly wrote, "Many people are questioning their process," referring to New Show's business practices.
     New Show demands punitive damage, as well as injunctive relief against similar statements in the future. New Show did not ask for a specific amount of money, but it claims that the defamatory statements cost the company $1 million.
     John Du Wors of the Seattle law firm of Newman Du Wors is representing New Show.