Contrary to popular belief, this show is not an official remake of the BBC sitcom
The Office (2001). The producers initially claimed that it was an original show, until the BBC noticed how similar it was to The Office. The similarities were so apparent that the BBC threatened legal action against the show's production company Brainpool. Beginning with the second season, to avoid legal issues, the text "Inspired by the UK BBC series The Office created by
Ricky Gervais and
Stephen Merchant" was added to the ending credits.