Massey Sues Palin's 'Life's a Tripp' Producers

Disney star Kyle Massey has filed a lawsuit against producers involved in Bristol Palin's reality series, Life's a Tripp, alleging that he and his family were left high and dry when what he terms as a joint venture with his fellow DWTS castmate went in a new direction.

VIDEO: Kyle Massey Discusses Reality Show With Bristol Palin

According to official paperwork filed Tuesday, June 19, the show was initially titled Helping Hands and the original concept was to feature Massey, 20, Palin, 21, and her son Tripp, 3, in Los Angeles as they embarked upon various charitable endeavors. Purportedly, Palin's new show, Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp, is  "substantially identical and, at best, a derivative work" of the Masseys' copyrighted idea. The family further claims that they were unfairly excluded from the final product and its profits.

"It is unfortunate that after months of trying to resolve this matter the professional way, we were left with no other course of action than to take legal action to protect ourselves," Kyle's mom Angela Massey said in a statement. "If you read the entire complaint...you will see how we created the show, registered the show and did all the leg work to bring this idea to TV and to the defendants, who stole our concept."

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It should be noted that Bristol is not named in the 31-page suit. Associated Television International, Helping Hands LLC and David McKenzie are listed as defendants.

Life's a Tripp aired its first episode yesterday on Lifetime following Bristol as she adjusts to life as a single mom.