American Idol claim rejected

A man who claims TV bosses stole his idea for the US version of Pop Idol, American Idol, has lost his appeal.

15:00 23 March 2005

A man who claims TV bosses stole his idea for the US version of Pop Idol, American Idol, has lost his appeal.

It is the second time that the case against Fox Television brought by Harry Keane Jr, of Irving in Texas, has been dismissed.

Judges said that the fact that he had put his ideas out across the internet meant he could not claim it was a trade secret.

The talent show first aired in 2002 following the runaway success of British Pop Idol and its nasty judge, Simon Cowell.

Pop mogul Cowell now hosts the US show, which tonight will see the first re-vote in its history after a technical hitch in last night's programme.

The wrong phone numbers were displayed at the end of the show and so millions of fans will have to vote again for their favourite contestant to stay in.