ABC is firing back at CBS -- claiming its new realty show "Glass House" is NOT stealing trade secrets from "Big Brother" ... because NOTHING about Big Brother is a secret.

The Alphabet network has filed a response in its legal battle with CBS -- asking a judge to throw out the "over-the-top" lawsuit ASAP.

In the docs, ABC says the insinuation that "Glass House" is stealing top secret info is "outrageous" ... because "there is nothing secret about editing a program with multiple feeds together or developing a narrative structure for it. That is reality TV."

ABC also says hidden cameras, putting contestants in isolation and doing contests is nothing special ... and shouldn't be considered a trade secret. 

In the suit, ABC claims there are significant differences between the two shows -- notably "Glass House" will be a team-oriented game ... whereas "Big Brother" contains an "every man for himself theme."

ABC scoffs at CBS' claim that 19 former "Big Brother" employees -- all of whom know the secret sauce -- defected to "Glass House." The network claims the reason so many BB employees left is because "Brother" producers run a reality TV sweat shop -- claiming "it is common knowledge in the industry that low pay and the 24 hours a day/7 days a week filming schedule makes life on the Big Brother set difficult."

The suit adds, "That employees prefer a different show with benefits and better hours is hardly evidence of a trade secret violation."

ABC is asking the court to deny every demand CBS has made -- so it can produce its show in a timely and cost-effective manner.

A judge has yet to rule on the matter.

CBS wasn't bluffing ... 'cause the network has made good on its threat to sue ABC over an upcoming reality show which CBS claims is a blatant rip off of "Big Brother" ... and it's NASTY.

As we previously reported, CBS fired off a cease-and-desist letter to ABC last week ... claiming "Glass House" is "strikingly" similar to "Big Brother" -- a bunch of people living in a house and competing for prizes.

Now, in a lawsuit filed in federal court in L.A., CBS states, "If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then CBS should take pride in ABC's latest reality television project, 'Life in a Glass House.'"

In the suit, CBS refers to "Glass House" as a "carbon copy" of "Big Brother" -- and calls ABC's decision to green light the show an "obvious attempt ... to capitalize on its unique success."

CBS claims its trying to stop ABC from committing a blatant theft of its copyrightable expression, trade secrets and other confidential information.

CBS also claims ABC has hired at least 19 former "BB" staffers to work on "Glass House" -- and believes the employees are actively disclosing CBS's trade secrets and confidential information to produce the show. CBS also believes at least one "Glass House" exec has been trying to poach current "BB" employees.

CBS wants at least 3 former high level "Big Brother" employees who signed with "Glass House" to fork over $500,000 EACH for allegedly violating a confidentiality agreement they had with CBS.

CBS is also suing ABC for unspecified damages.

Stay tuned.

CBS is clashing with ABC over a new reality show -- claiming ABC's newest reality project "Glass House" is a "Big Brother" rip-off ... and if ABC doesn't pull the plug on it stat, CBS will sue.

Lawyers for CBS fired off a cease and desist letter to ABC on Friday, claiming "Glass House" -- about contestants living in a house, filmed round-the-clock, and voted out by viewers -- is strikingly similar to "Big Brother."

CBS says it's no coincidence either -- claiming 18 former "Big Brother" staffers are now working on the new ABC project.

CBS writes, "In the strongest possible terms, we must admonish ABC and anyone involved in the development or production of `Glass House' that they will be acting at their own peril if they continue to proceed in this manner."

ABC had no comment.

Former "Big Brother" gym rat Jessie Godderz took his shirt off in the middle of LaGuardia Airport in New York yesterday ... so if you're into it, enjoy.

If you're not into it ... don't worry ... bikini pics on the way soon!
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The "Jersey Shore" virus is spreading ... and no country is immune -- because Israel has a Snooki of their very own ... but she's adamant about one thing -- she's no "f**king whore!!"

Her name is Lihi Griner -- she came in second on "Big Brother: Israel" -- and she's an aspiring  reality train show wreck ... who's hoping she can one day out-trash The Snook.

It's gonna take hard work ... a TON of booze ... and a punch-resilient face.  God speed.

"Big Brother" contestant Shelly Moore is looking to turn her experience of being threatened and bullied because of her antics on the show into something positive ... by working to become a spokeswoman for an anti-bullying campaign.

Sources close to Moore tell TMZ ... Moore wants to use her 15 minutes of "BB" fame to start a speaking tour for kids K-12 to discuss the topic of bullying. We're told Moore wants to address how hate not only affects the person bullied, but can affect their whole families.

According to our sources, Moore is reaching out to other "Big Brother" contestants to put together a PSA about bullying.

As TMZ first reported, Shelly's family received death threats after Shelly voted to evict fan favorite Jeff Schroeder. The FBI investigated the threats, but the threatening calls and emails stopped after a few days.

"Big Brother" winner Rachel Reilly and her fiance Brendon Villegas are going Hollywood, literally -- we're told Rachel plans on moving to Los Angeles and pitching her upcoming nuptials as a possible reality show.

Turns out ... when Rachel told our photog on Thursday night that she was getting married THIS weekend, well ... that was just the alcohol talking. Sources close to Rachel tell TMZ they have no plans on a quickie wedding, but they do want to settle down in Los Angeles (Brendon is currently enrolled in grad school at UCLA).

We're told Rachel is planning to use her "BB" winnings to buy a condo in town, look for opportunities in the entertainment biz, and plan her wedding.

And according to our sources, "planning her wedding" entails pitching it as a reality show to various production companies and networks in hopes of having it all paid for.

She's a shrewd player, all right.

"Big Brother" contestant Shelly Moore says she's now best buds with former housemate Jeff Schroeder -- despite last month's feud that led some crazed fans to threaten to kill Shelly and her family.

In case you forgot, Shelly voted to evict the fan-favorite Jeff last month -- and a handful of psychotic viewers REVOLTED ... calling Shelly's house and issuing death threats.

But last night in L.A., Shelly said it's all in the past -- the threats have since died down ... and she's now on great terms with Jeff.

Shelly tells us, "This is a game ... Some fans get really excited, some get really crazy. It is what it is. We are fine. We are wonderful ... Jeff and Jordan and all of us, we're all buddies ... LIFE IS GOOD!"

She JUST won $500k on "Big Brother" Wednesday ... but Rachel Reilly says she's already dropping some of her winnings on a wedding THIS WEEKEND!!!!

Reilly and her fiance Brendon Villegas were at TRU nightclub in Hollywood last night -- when Rachel told us she's having TWO weddings ... one in Vegas and one on something called "Real Station."

WARNING: Rachel has a little problem with voice immodulation ... so, check the volume on your speakers before you press play.

Former Big Brother contestant Jessie Godderz -- who appeared in last night's episode -- isn't a bit surprised the family of former house guest Shelly Moore were targeted with death threats over her game play -- telling TMZ the show truly has die-hard fans.

We got Mr. PEC-Tacular at LAX ... where he also said he knows who will take home the half-million bucks.

And he's got some choice words for the pride of the "Jersey Shore"

The family of "Big Brother" contestant Shelly Moore has met with the FBI to discuss the onslaught of death threats that were made to them after Shelly voted to evict a popular house guest last week.

TMZ has learned ... the meeting took place in Louisiana this week -- but after the agents reviewed the information, sources tell us the feds determined that none of the threats were "credible."

We broke the story -- a bunch of deranged fans bombarded the Moore home with frightening phone calls and emails after Shelly voted to evict Jeff Schroeder ... a fan favorite.

Sources close to the family tell us ... the threatening phone calls and emails have essentially stopped in the past couple of days -- so they're not too worried anymore.

We're told the family will not be taking any further action -- and simply hopes they can move on with their lives.