The Cast of Modern Family Row over Contracts

Five Modern Family cast members are suing their 20th Century Fox.

The stars claim that the contracts are illegal under Californian law.

Sophia Vergara (Gloria), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell), Eris Stonestreet (Cam), Julie Bowen (Claire) and Ty Burrell (Phil) filed the suit against 20^th Century Fox claiming that their contracts are illegal under Californian law which prohibits personal service contracts extending longer that seven years.

Ultimately the cast’s current contract prohibits them from other work in film and TV.

The cast of Modern Family

The contract was signed in February 2009 and does not expire until 2016 unless the lawsuit forces a change in the conditions.

The lawsuit states: "Modern Family has been a breakout critical and financial success."

"That success, however, has been built upon a collection of illegal contracts," it stated.

The contract obliges the stars to participate in unpaid publicity of the show and caps the raises they receive for each additional season of the funny show.

Modern Family was nominated for 14 Emmy Awards last week for it’s successful third season.