In early 2004, ABC announced a U.S. version of Wife Swap, to be called Trading Moms, having outbid Fox Network for the rights for the format in the U.S.[2] In June, the same year Fox publicized a program with an almost identical format to Wife Swap entitled Trading Spouses, which it began broadcasting on July 1,[3] ABC then reverted to the original UK title for their series, which began on September 26. In December 2004, RDF Media sued Fox for copyright infringement for reproducing the Wife Swap format without their permission.[4] In 2008, FOX sold the rights to the show to CMT, ending the run.[5]
Gay swap
In November 2005, Jeffrey Bedford, a participant in the American series, sued ABC network for trading his wife for a gay man. He accused ABC of being dishonest, not allowing him contact with his wife, and making him miss his lessons at college. He claims that, when he ceased participating with the production of the episode, ABC threatened that it would not tell him his wife's whereabouts and would not pay for his wife's return home. He is suing for over $10 million, although a spokesperson revealed that the contract stated the spouse could be of either gender.[6] In 2007, the UK version began a search for more gay or lesbian swaps.[7]
Alicia Guastaferro / Scott Kleveno
In March 2010, teen beauty queen Alicia Guastaferro sued ABC for $100 million, claiming that public embarrassment about her portrayal as a "spoiled brat" on Wife Swap led to panic attacks and suicidal tendencies.[8] The case was settled out of court. The Guastaferro family has experienced numerous other run-ins with the law, including the parents being charged with money laundering and tax evasion.[9] Ralph Guastaferro was sentenced to two years in prison for laundering $1.2 million for a Canadian telemarketing scheme through two business checking accounts he opened. Karen was given three years of probation