The Seven Network is simmering about a court outcome for a rival network’s cooking program, promising to protect the copyright of its own hit show My Kitchen Rules.

Seven was dealt a blow by the Federal Court on Thursday in its attempt to have Nine Network’s new reality cooking show The Hotplate pulled off the air.

The network claimed Nine had poached many of the ingredients of My Kitchen Rules (MKR) to create The Hotplate, which started airing on July 28.

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Justice John Nicholas said he was satisfied Seven had a “reasonable case” that its rival had infringed its copyright.

However, he did not think there should be an injunction restraining the broadcast of the rest of The Hotplate’s first season.

‘The Hotplate’ contestants Christina and Tania. Photo: Instagram

From the moment it started airing, viewers took to social media to make comparisons between The Hotplate and MKR.

Seven has vowed further legal action to protect its number one show, which airs in more than 160 countries and is produced under licence in seven international markets.

A network spokesman said The Hotplate was a “rip-off” and they would also be taking legal action against The Endemol Group, which created Big Brother and Deal Or No Deal.

“Although an injunction has not been granted, the judge found that Seven has an arguable case that the close similarity of the formats is the result of copying,” the network said in a statement.

The Hotplate has been a ratings success for Nine and to make matters worse for Seven, the show has basted its latest cooking series Restaurant Revolution, which has been reduced to airing one night a week.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision today regarding The Hotplate and look forward to continuing this hit series on Nine,” a Nine spokeswoman told AAP.

Justice Nicholas said his opinion was not a finding but Seven had reasonable grounds.

“I am satisfied that Seven has a reasonably arguable case that the formats of MKR and Hotplate are very similar,” he said.

“I am also satisfied that Seven has an arguable case that this close similarity is (at least to some extent) the result of copying.