RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A federal jury has awarded the creators of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” $269.2 million in damages because they didn’t get their fair share of profits from the popular Walt Disney Co. game show.
Wednesday’s ruling in federal court in Riverside, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, was a victory for London-based Celador International.
Celador attorneys blamed Hollywood accounting, arguing that a series of deals between several Disney companies made it appear the show was operating in the red.
The British company asked for damages up to $395 million.
Disney immediately issued a statement saying it plans to appeal.