The Hollywood Foreign Press Association wants a judge to end Dick Clark Productions' involvement in the Golden Globes awards show.
The group filed a motion for summary judgement in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday asking Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank to rule in its favor against DCP and the private equity fund Red Zone Capital, which owns DCP.
Also read: Golden Globe Lawsuit: Does It Come Down to Six Words?
The Press Association sued DCP in November, accusing it of secretly signing a seven-year extension of NBC's current agreement to air the telecast — even though, HFPA says, DCP had no commitment to produce the show after the one that aired this year. DCP claims that it has perpetual rights to produce and license the Globes show.
HFPA's motion relies on a tape recording of a 1993 presentation by DCP executives. The Press Association says it shows that DCP asked only for options for eight Golden Globes shows (later extended through this year's show). The association says the recording shows that DCP never had the option of producing the show as long as it sees fit.
In a statement earlier this year, DCP asserted its right to continue producing the show.
"When DCP first got involved with the Golden Globes, the program had no television deal whatsoever," a company spokesman said. "Working with the HFPA, DCP nurtured and re-established the brand, and ultimately found a new home on NBC. The Golden Globes now has a strong following and has been successfully re-positioned as one of the leading award shows in the entertainment industry."