Simon Cowell
Ray Mickshaw/WireImage
American Idol judge Simon Cowell has settled his multimillion-dollar legal battle with the show's creator – and he's signed a deal to hurl insults on the FOX show for at least five more seasons.
Simon Fuller, creator of
Idol, has settled his lawsuit against Cowell out of court in London. In filing his legal action in September 2004, Fuller alleged that Cowell's British TV hit
X Factor infringed upon creative elements found in Fuller's
Idol franchise. Both shows feature talent contests.
In a statement Tuesday, Cowell said his job is a personal thrill and he's happy to be working with "my good friend Simon Fuller."
Cowell's contract had been due to expire at the end of the season that starts in January, and his legal battle with Fuller had been a stumbling block in negotiations with FOX.
The case had been scheduled to go to trial in Britain Thursday. Financial terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
