It Seems Seth MacFarlane's 'Ted' Has Been Obnoxious Before

Ted, the main character of the film ted, was the loveable talking bear that looked like butter wouldn't melt.What he was, in actual fact, was the cause of endless friction between his owner John, Mark Wahlberg, and John's girlfriend Lori, Mila Kunis, as a result of his foul-mouthed, boozy and irresponsible ways.

Two years after the film's release and, once again, Ted is in the middle of another row, this time between Universal Pictures, the film's creator and director, Seth Macfarlane and a production company that claims they invented the cuddly character first.

Bengal Mangle Productions has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit that claims their webseries creations, Charlie The Abusive Teddy and Acting School Academy, both featured Charlie, a rude and sexually provocative bear - traits not unlike those that can be found in MacFarlane's Ted.

The lawsuit states that the webseries aired in 2009 and 2010 on YouTube, FunnyOrDie.com and other streaming websites and show the very character that was later depicted in MacFarlane’s successful film.

More: Mila Kunis out and Amanda Seyfried in for Ted 2

According to Deadline.com, it also claims that 'Charlie and Ted each have a substantially similar persona, verbal tone, verbal delivery, dialogue and attitude'.

Not only is Bengal Mangle Productions claiming that the character of Ted has been taken from Charlie, but the company has also stated that some of the scenes from MacFarlane's funny comedy were 'substantially similar' to ones from their webseries.

_More: MacFarlane is no stranger to controversy

Of course, MacFarlane is no stranger to criticism as the creator of the long running T.V. series, Family Guy.

As a result of the 12-season strong comedy, MacFarlane has been the target of numerous complaints concerning taste and indecency._

His most famous creation has come under attack from the Parents Television Council which has expressed moral opposition on more than one occasion and some of the show's contemporaries, South Park and The Simpsons, have satirised the show's writing and organisation.

However, this legal wrangle could prove his most costly criticism yet.

A ted sequel is currently in production and is set for release in June 2015.

Universal Pictures and MacFarlane's agent declined to comment to Deadline.com.