Houston Restaurant in Legal Hot Water with SpongeBob SquarePants

A Houston restaurant is facing a lawsuit because its name is similar to the one that employs SpongeBob SquarePants.

TMZ reports that Viacom is suing the newly-opened Rusty Crab restaurant, claiming it's ripping off the popular cartoon's Krusty Crab.

The downtown restaurant is reportedly accused of trademark infringement as Viacom claims it uses names, images and characters from the show both in the restaurant and on the menu.

The company wants the Rusty Crab to fork over any profit that has been made and shut down.

photo: Getty Images