HGTV’s ‘Ugliest House in America’ Show Sparks Trademark Lawsuit

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. was hit with a trademark infringement lawsuit over the HGTV show “Ugliest House In America” by the real estate franchise that owns the “We Buy Ugly Houses” trademark.

The case, filed Monday in Delaware federal court, said the HGTV show portraying makeovers and renovations of ugly homes will likely cause consumers to incorrectly believe it is connected to HomeVestors of America Inc.'s annual contest called “The Ugliest House of the Year.”

HomeVestors, founded in 1996, bills itself as the largest homebuyer in America, with its franchisees purchasing dilapidated and undervalued homes and renovating them. “The Ugliest ...