The world of home renovation has taken over television, with multiple home improvement shows across a number of channels. The majority of these can be seen on HGTV, and while some are very successful, one of their newer programs just got off to a rough start, as a DFW company is now suing HGTV for trademark infringement over their show ‘Ugliest House in America.’
All across DFW, there are signs that read “we buy ugly houses,” that are put up by HomeVestors of America Inc. The company holds an annual contest for “The Ugliest House of The Year” and they believe HGTV’s new show, ‘Ugliest House in America,’ infringes on their trademark rights. “The show mocks owners and their homes for odd design choices, often labeling the homes as ‘heinous’ or ‘grotesque,’” said HomeVestors.
According to Dallas Morning News, the show’s host, Retta, travels to properties nominated as the ugliest in the country and awards the winner with a $150,000 makeover. As for the HomeVestors contest, they feature homes renovated over the year, highlighting one dramatic home makeover as the winner. Now it’s up to the court to decide who is right.
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