'Ugly Betty' legal drama: Screenwriter claims producers stole her ideas

As "Ugly Betty" fans are still mourning the loss of the series, a writer has filed a lawsuit claiming the show's producers stole her ideas.

According to TMZ, screenwriter/director Azita Zendel claims the producers, including ABC and Touchstone, stole ideas from her screenplay, which later became the movie "Controlled Chaos."

Zendel says she submitted the screenplay to the producers for a possible distribution deal and alleges they used her ideas in the series without compensating her. Zendel filed the lawsuit Monday, April 19 in Los Angeles federal court.

According to IMDB, "Controlled Chaos" is based on Zendel's own experiences as director Oliver Stone's assistant for four years. The film is about an assistant who has to cover up for her celebrity boss' indiscretions.

It's not clear from the report how much of "Ugly Betty's" four seasons, Zendel claims the producers stole from her 2003 film. The common understanding, though, is that "Ugly Betty" was adapted from the Colombian telenovela, "Betty La Fea," which aired in 1999.

An ABC spokesperson told Zap2it that the network doesn't comment on pending litigation.

What do you think of Zendel's charges that "Ugly Betty's" producers stole her ideas?

Follow Zap2it and TheRealJethro on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news.

Related:

'Ugly Betty' the movie? Vanessa Williams says 'absolutely'
'Ugly Betty' the movie? Ana Ortiz says America can do it!
'Ugly Betty': There's beauty in goodbyes
All 'Ugly Betty' show recaps

Photo credit: Andrew Eccles / ABC