The Dutch production company has written to lawyers for Five saying that it is closely watching the programme, made by Princess Productions, which was behind Channel 4's breakfast flop 'RI:SE'.
A spokeswoman for Endemol said: "We're considering our position. We've objected to 'Back To Reality', which we consider a rip-off, but there are no plans to take legal action at the moment."
'Back To Reality' sees 12 people made famous by reality television programmes living together in a mansion for three weeks. Like 'Big Brother' the contestants, who include Jade Goody, James Hewitt and Rik Waller, are given tasks to perform and are also evicted. There is even an equivalent of the 'Big Brother' diary room, called the Potting Shed.
Several of the 'Back To Reality' housemates made their names by participating in 'Big Brother', namely Goody, "Nasty" Nick Bateman and series one winner Craig Philips.
It could be difficult for Endemol to claim copyright infringement over the format for a show. Sir Bob Geldof dropped a lawsuit against Granada alleging that its programme 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' ripped off the show 'Survivor', produced by his company Castaway Productions. He had been seeking damages and an injunction for infringement of copyright.
In any event 'Back To Reality' has so far failed to capture the public imagination in the same way that 'Big Brother' and 'I'm a Celebrity' have, drawing ratings of 1.8m on its first night and losing 1m for the second show.
It is due to move to a 9pm slot this week.
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