Trouble is afoot for ‘dragon lady’

11:52am Wednesday 13th September 2006

TV DRAGON Rachel Elnaugh is facing a public bust-up after being accused of launching a "rip-off" version of a successful website.

The 41-year-old - who quit the BBC's Dragons' Den when her own company collapsed - now faces a possible court battle over breach of copyright.

She was hoping to launch an online web-based directory in Swindon. Internet business directory www.thebestof.co.uk says a rival website, backed by Elnaugh, has copied 71 of its concepts, ideas and catchphrases.

Nigel Botterill, who was named in a list of Britain's top 50 entrepreneurs after setting up the bestof.co.uk is taking legal advice.

Ms Elnaugh shot to fame when she became the first woman judge on BBC2's Dragons' Den, where business hopefuls try to sell their ideas to a panel of investors.

But she left the show after her own company, Red Letter Days, collapsed with £5m debts.

It was bought by fellow judges Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis, who have now taken it back into profit.

Ms Elnaugh, who declined to comment on the rip-off row, said: "I got involved with the site because I wanted to help more people to start up their own businesses."

Under her picture and the heading Dragon Lady On Hunt For Entrepreneurs', Ms Elnaugh invites people to "take on the challenge" of setting up local directory pages.

She adds: "The franchise is an excellent way for individuals to start a business and learn what they are truly capable of."

But an outraged Mr Botterill - whose website became Britain's fastest-growing franchise since its launch last year - said: "We have 300 people who have already set up their own business and are now being ripped off.

"I know I can't copyright the whole idea but there are large parts of her site which are identical to ours. It's appalling behaviour. "Anyone who came across the two sites wouldn't be able to tell who was ripping off who."

Tony Fisher, managing director of yourhomepagein.co.uk said: "We totally refute the accusation. There are a number of differences in the two sites. It's not surprising some of the wording is similar but we deny any breach of copyright."