MUMBAI: The producers of the business based reality show The Apprentice have sued an Israeli TV station for stealing their idea. In India The Apprentice airs on Star World.

The suit has been filed in Tel Aviv by Fremantle Media and Mark Burnett Productions against Israeli broadcaster Channel 2 franchisee Keshet Broadcasting. The demand is that production be stoped on the reality show The Ambassador

The suit alleges that The Ambassador copies a lot from The Apprentice. The promotions for the Israeli show use the hands of real-estate magnate Donald Trump who hosts The Apprentice. The suit states, "The format includes all the components and creates the overall look and feel of The Apprentice."

In The Ambassador 14 contestants are forced to present Israel in the best light in front of hostile international audiences - including the Cambridge University Union in England. A panel of judges throws one person thrown off the show each week. The winner gets a position with a US Jewish organisation.

In The Apprentice contestants perform business-related challenges. Uttering the famous line "You're fired" Trump gets rid of one contestant at the end of each episode.