That practicaly never happens.....
The Starmaker
who constantly tell newbies things like:
"...this business of studios stealing scripts is, to be kind, highly
exaggerated."
"And actually, stealing scripts is a small problem"
"As far as actually stealing scripts,
it's an odd situation."
"Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
practicaly never
happens." --MC
I can post more quotes of the same type, but I'm getting sick....
These people with their "contentious personalities" and "self-important
mannerism"
make me want to throw up!
Don't you hate it when "these people" say one thing , when in reality,
the total opposite
is going on in, ...the real world?
What kind of Kool-Aid are these people drinking? Or do they want You to
drink Kool-Aid??
.............
New Filing -- Eddie Murphy
Patrick brothers v. Murphy. Pair of scriptwriters say their script was
the basis of hit film, "The Nutty Professor." New Filing CD California.
Full Story -- New Filing November 1996
Backdraft Ruling
Burns, Zoll v. Imagine Films, MCA, Universal. Two Buffalo firefighters
who say significant parts of their screenplays wound up in "Backdraft"
appear to have won a default judgment on liability based on defendants'
"willful bad faith" and failure to produce documents. Ruling WD New
York. Full Story Art New Filing August 1996
Golan Says Wrongly Fired From Film Co.
Producer says he was wrongly fired, manhandled from office, defamed and
bilked of credit and fee; says deft.'s lawyer then refused to draft
settlement unless hired to produce Golan's next film Full Story Film
New Filing August 1999
New File – Niss
Niss v. 1,200 cable companies. Son of author of "Pendulum," who in
related action is claiming ownership, seeks class status for cablers who
rebroadcast HBO showing of the movie; he notes that defendants are
indemnified by HBO. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New
Filing July 2000
New Filing – “Clockstoppers”
Santa Fe Entertainment v. Paramount Pictures. The owners of a motion
picture screenplay “It’s About Time” claim that Paramount Pictures
copied without authorization all aspects of their script in its creation
of the film “Clockstoppers.” New Filing CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing June 2003
New Filing – “Freakshow”
Nick Griffin, Mike Ferrucci v. Miramax Film Corp. The authors of a
horror film screenplay entitled “Freakshow” claim that Miramax’s 2002
film, “Halloween Resurrection” copied without authorization creative
elements from the screenplay. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing May 2003
New Filing – “Gang of Roses”
Lite Stone Entertainment v. DEJ Productions, Roses and Guns Productions,
et al. The owner of the motion picture screenplay “Jessie’s Girl” claims
the producers of the movie “Gang of Roses” copied the plot and
characters of the screenplay to create their movie. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2004
New Filing - “Ota Benga” Rights
Roland Films v. Schwab. Indie film company seeks to enforce option on
screenplay “Ota Benga” after disagreement with writer about whether the
option expired or was extended. New Filing SD New York. Full Story
Film New Filing January 2002
New Filing – “The Quest”
Dux v. Van Damme. Martial arts expert says action star didn’t pay agreed
fee for consulting, creating the story for “The Quest.” New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – “The Red Door”
Saffron v. Praxis. Producer says he has not been paid his fee or given
his credit for film based on the screenplay “The Red Door.” New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing February 2002
New Filing – “X-Men” Book
David Hayter v. Twentieth Century Fox, Newmarket Press. Screenwriter
claims Twentieth Century Fox and Newmarket Press failed to ensure that
he received credit for his contributions to the motion picture “X-Men 2”
in a book published about the film. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing June 2003
New Filing – Agent 008
Carlos Jackson v. Various Universal execs. Man claims he dropped earlier
lawsuit against Universal based on promises by execs to help his career,
develop his "Agent 008" script, but execs allegedly reneged. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 2000
New Filing – Air Bud
Mendelson, Tamasy v. Malvan Productions, Keystone Entertainment. Writers
of “Air Bud” and its sequel allege they have not received the “net
profits” they were promised and have been cut out of third “Air Bud”
film. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 2001
New Filing – Air Bud
Barry Perelman Enterprises v. Keystone. Producer says film company dealt
him out of deal to make "Air Bud." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
Film New Filing January 1998
New Filing – Alpha Dog
Initial Entertainment v. Nicholas Cassavetes. Film company says writer
hired to help with movie “Alpha Dog” has asserted ownership interest in
the screenplay. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
December 2004
New Filing – Artist Management
Alcon v. AMG. Film production company wants refund of money it spent on
rights to inspiring true story of integrated 1955 Alabama Little League
team after learning that the story was not true. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing June 2002
New Filing – Asylum
Schwartz v. Sealskin. Scriptwriter says his former partner took a
jointly written screenplay for “Asylum” and sold it as his own. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December 1996
New Filing – Barbershop
MGM v. Mark Brown, Beauty Shop LLC. Lawsuit filed over “Beauty Shop,”
allegedly an unauthorized spin-off from the “Barbershop franchise.” New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2004
New Filing – Castle Rock
Morris, Richert v. Castle Rock, Sorkin, WGA. Two writers who say their
treatment was the basis of “The American President” and who sought
writer credits allege that the Writers Guild fouled up their challenge
and wrongly waived their rights. New Filing SD New York. Full Story
Film New Filing November 2001
New Filing – Clive Cussler
Clive Cussler v. Crusader Entertainment. Author says production company
has failed to recognize his contractually-required approval rights over
screenplay adaptation of one of his novels, and anyway is taking too
long about it. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
February 2004
New Filing -- Crimson Tide
Waid v. Disney. Former USN sub captain says his script was the basis for
Crimson Tide. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
September 1996
New Filing – Dadon
David Dadon v. Avi Lerner, et al. Producers says he helped get "The
Replicant" off the ground, but didn't get his $150,000 or producer
credit. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing July 2000
New Filing – Dante’s Peak
Hines, Jones v. Universal. Two writers say the script for “Dante’s Peak
“ was copied from a script they submitted in 1995. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing March 1997
New Filing – Don Juan Demarco
Laskay v. New Line, American Zoetrope. Writer who bought English
language rights to "Man Facing Southeast" says studios stole concept and
script. New Filing LA Superior. Removal CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing May 1997
New Filing – Drumline
Darryl Lassiter v. Fox. Writer says “Drumline” was copied from his
movie, “Pay the Price,” about Black college marching bands. New Filing
SD New York. Full Story
New Filing – Drumline
Darryl D. Lassiter, 2 Believers Productions, et al. v. Twentieth Century
Fox Films, Fox Entertainment Group. Screenwriter claims that studios
copied several elements from his screenplay and movie “Pay the Price” to
create the motion picture “Drumline.” New Filing SD New York. Full
Story Film New Filing September 2004
New Filing – End Game
Sean Connery v. Peter Guber, Mandalay Pictures. Actor alleges production
company promised him $17 million to be in film “End Game” and kept
stringing him along even when they could not finance the film in order
to maintain the appearance of viability. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing October 2002
New Filing -- Exit Zero
Butler v. Wimmer. Writer sues collaborator who allegedly took
unfinished, co-written script, reworked it and sold it for own benefit.
New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November 1996
New Filing – Film Script
Michael Fry v. Estate of Sagan. Writer says he pitched script to son of
Carl Sagan, who sold similar script to 20th Century Fox. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Frequency
Selby v. New Line, Emmerich. Writer claims film "Frequency" is
substantially similar to his screenplay "Doubletime." New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 2000
New Filing – Harry Shearer
Bernhard/Robson v. Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman. Producer files malpractice
case saying firm botched negotiations and then arbitration with Harry
Shearer over comedy script. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1998
New Filing – Have Gun Will Travel
Paladin V. Time Warner. Producers allege Warner reneged on deal to do
"Have Gun Will Travel" movie. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing April 1999
New Filing – Hearsay
Hearsay v. World International. Defendant may have had right to take
over production of film “Hearsay,” but has so changed the content as to
have infringed on the copyright, suit alleges. New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing August 2001
New Filing – Howard Hughes
Charles Evans v. New Line Cinema. Producer says he worked years on movie
about billionaire Howard Hughes, only to get cut out of the deal. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing February 2001
New Filing – Jackson Pollack
Ruth Kligman v. Pollack Film, Ed Harris, et al. Artist and lover of the
late Jackson Pollack alleges that makers of the movie "Pollack" stole
from her memoir/screenplay. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film
New Filing October 2000
New Filing -- Kushner Locke
Chapin v. Kushner-Locke. Writer says KL fraudulently induced him to sign
away his rights to a script called "Cutthroat." New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing September 1996
New filing – Lancit
AsIs, Lancit v. Prospero Entertainment. Plaintiffs was declaration that
they, not defendant, are owners of exclusive screenplay and film rights
to the Lois Lowry book “The Giver.” New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2001
New Filing – League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Martin Poll, Larry Cohen v. Fox. Producer and writer claim $100 million
in damages after studio allegedly copies their screenplay to create the
2003 film, “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing November 2003
New Filing – Man Facing Southeast
Jason Laskay v. MCA/Universal. Screenwriter claims “K-Pax” was copied
from screenplay he owns, “Man Facing Southeast.” New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2002
New Filing – Maximum Risk
Bloom v. Ferguson. Screenwriter accuses writer of “Maximum Risk” of
plagiarising from his script, “Chain Reaction.” New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – McKenzie
Margaret McKenzie v. Paramount et al. The film “Lucky Numbers” infringes
on the plaintiff’s screenplay “Money Trouble,” suit alleges. New Filing
SD Florida. Full Story Film New Filing April 2001
New Filing – Mike Myers
Universal v. Mike Myers. Studio says actor agreed to do film based on
his comic character "Dieter," demanded more money and points after the
success of "The Spy Who Shagged Me," spent millions, then decided
against doing the movie. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing June 2000
New Filing - Mimic
Glenn Willis v. Disney. Among other similarities, three-year gestation
period for giant cockroaches is evidence Disney copied script submitted
with internship application in making "Mimic," writer alleges. Full
Story Film New Filing December 1999
New Filing -- Money Train
Masters v. Sony. A writer says the movie "Money Train" is based on the
screenplay Sony optioned from him in 1988. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing October 1996
New Filing - My Best Friend's Wedding
Barbara Friedkin v. The Cartel Group. Woman says she wrote first draft
of "My Best Friend's Wedding," in part because she had agreed to marry a
college sweetheart if not married by 40, but was dumped from project.
Full Story Film New Filing December 1999
New Filing -- New Line "Easy Woman"
Worth v. New Line. Producer sues New Line for allegedly reneging on deal
to pay him to make the film "Easy Woman." New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing September 1996
New Filing – Northern Ireland
O’Connor v. DreamWorks. Producer says comedy “An Everlasting Piece” was
smothered by studio, at the behest of the British government, “in
indirect support of that government’s military and political occupation
of the North of Ireland.” New Filing CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing May 2001
New Filing – Notting Hill
Nick Villiers v. Eric Fellner et al. Writer says long-time friend and
producer used his ideas for a movie to be called "Cheeks" as part of the
hit "Notting Hill." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing October 2000
New Filing – Open Range
Howard Dratch v. Craig Storper, Kevin Costner, Buena Vista Pictures.
Producer says he worked for two years on the film “Open Range,” but was
cut out of his promised role once the project got going. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing October 2002
New Filing – Organ Donor
Katz, Brooks v. Schneider, Schneider. Writers allege actor and his
brother promised to market their script “The Organ Donor” but marketed a
different, but similar project. New Filing LA Superior Court. Full Story
New Filing -- Pearl Harbor
Gary Compton v. Disney, Bruckheimer, Bay et al. Author says “Pearl
Harbor” infringes on his romantic screenplay “Pearl Harbor Love.” New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing June 2004
New Filing – Personals
Carol Gun v. Michael Sargent. Woman says man brought her in to make
contacts and raise money for film project "Personals" but never paid her
or gave her a role in the project as promised. New Filing NY Supreme.
Full Story Film New Filing February 1999
New Filing – Pink Panther
Richlin v. MGM. The heirs of a co-creator of “The Pink Panther” are
seeking to establish ownership rights to half the copyright upon the
film, its story, and characters. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing November 2004
New Filing – Pinocchio
Pinocchio II Productions v. Sneller. Defendant's campaign of letters
claiming rescission of rights to "New Adventure of Pinocchio" screenplay
is interfering with exploitation of film. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2000
New Filing – Ransom
Ann Morgan v. Touchstone, Disney. Writer says the film "Ransom" is based
on her screenplays. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing December 1998
New Filing - RKO
RKO v. Beatrice Welles. RKO says Orson Welles' daughter is objecting to
remake of "The Magnificent Ambersons"; seeks declaration that RKO has
all rights. Full Story Film New Filing October 1999
New Filing – Robert Downey Jr. & Sr.
Richard Finney, Terence Michael v. Robert Downey, Jr., Robert Downey,
Sr. Actor and director were paid $250,000 to deliver screenplay within
four months, but never delivered, suit alleges. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing July 2000
New Filing – Shade
Jennifer Silver v. RKO Pictures, Card Mechanics Productions. Producer
claims studios failed to provide her with credit or compensation after
releasing the movie “Shade” based on her screenplay. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing August 2004
New Filing - Shakespeare in Love
Faye Kellerman v. Miramax, Universal. Bestselling author alleges
"Shakespeare in Love" is based on her 1989 novel "The Quality of Mercy."
New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing March 1999
New Filing – Signs
Trilenium v. Disney. Coincidences between movie “Signs” and plaintiffs’
script “Lord of the Barrens: The Jersey Devil” were too numerous to be
mere coincidence, suit alleges. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing September 2003
New Filing – Spider-Man
Newsom v. Columbia Pictures. Author of 1985 “Spider-Man” script says his
material was used in hit 2002 “Spider-Man” movie without credit or
payment. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April
2003
New Filing – Star Trek
N. Barry Carver v. Paramount. Writer says the similarities of "Star
Trek: First Contact" to the script "A Stitch in Time," which he
submitted to Paramount in 1991, are "bizarrely striking." New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing January 1999
New Filing - Tarantino Script
Craig Hamann, Expletive Entertainment v. Quentin Tarantino. Writer says
Tarantino is trying to stop him from exploiting decade-old script the
two co-wrote. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing
August 1996
New Filing – Tartikoff
Millennium v. Markowitz. Plaintiff says it prepaid defendant $187,500
for screenplay about Brandon Tartikoff; failure to deliver showed not
only breach, but fraud, suit says. New Filing LA Superior; Removal CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 2000
New Filing – The Cell
Mattson v. Protosevich, New Line. Writer says his idea and screenplay
for a movie about a female therapist entering the mind of a comatose
patient were used to make "The Cell." New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing September 2000
New Filing – The Deskman
Estrella v. Neo Motion Pictures et al. Author of screenplay "The
Deskman" says TV movie "Suckers" infringes on his work. New Filing CD
California.ntlawdigest.com Full Story Film New Filing September 2000
New Filing – The Last Samurai
Michael Alan Eddy v. Radar Pictures, Interscope, Warner Bros., WGA.
Writer who says he was first of six to work on “The Last Samurai” claims
the film’s producers and the WGA prevented him from receiving the proper
credit due to him the other early writers for their work on the project.
New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing February 2004
New Filing -- The Long Ride
Martin Ransohoff v. Paramount. Producer says studio chief refused to
approve anyone to direct "The Long Ride" except her husband. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December 2004
New Filing – The Truman Show
Mowry v. Scott Rudin, Viacom. Writer alleges that the movie “The Truman
Show” is so similar to the screenplay he submitted to the defendants
that it must have been copied. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film
New Filing May 2003
New Filing – The Whole Shebang
Jeff Rothberg v. Big W Pruductions et al. Plaintiff seeks enforcement of
arbitration award saying defendant filmmakers have no rights to story
“The Whole Shebang” until they pay Rothberg under option agreement. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing August 2001
New Filing – Tomorrow Never Dies
Howard, Beutler, Schlossberg-Cohen v. Danjaq et al. Baltimore
scriptwriters claim latest Bond flick copied their script "Currency of
Fear." We print description of similarities in full. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing January 1998
New Filing - Travolta
Liteoffer, Mandalay v. John Travolta. Liteoffer and Mandalay sue
Travolta, saying the actor walked away from a role in the film "Double,"
"because his ego had been bruised." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
Film New Filing August 1996
New Filing - Ulterior Motive
Production company says Fox broke deal to return rights to screenplay
for "Ulterior Motives" after deciding not to make film. Full Story
Film New Filing September 1999
New Filing – Van Daalen
Van Daalen v. Paramount, Resnick. Playwright wants his share of payoff
from film "Lucky Numbers," about a 1980 Pennsylvania lottery scam,
saying it infringes on his play "Trust Me." Full Story Film New
Filing November 2000
New Filing – Walking Across Egypt
Vicky Rocco v. Tamasy, Bell. Writer says her script was ripped off for
the new movie, "Walking Across Egypt." New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing May 1999
Area Type Issue
New Filing – Wedding Planner
Ballard v. Sony. Writer says 2001 comedy “The Wedding Planner” is
strikingly similar to his 1995 script “In the Palm of my Hand.” New
Filing ED Virginia. Full Story Film New Filing January 2004
New Filing – White Man’s Burden
Elena Mareno v. Miramax et al. New York woman alleges "White Man's
Burden" is based on her treatment and screenplay. New Filing SD New
York. Full Story Film New Filing January 1999
New Filing – Zappa’s 200 Motels
Zappa Family v. MGM. Heirs to late musician Frank Zappa allege that his
1971 movie “200 Motels” was not a “work for hire” and that the copyright
and renewal term have reverted to them. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2001
New Filing – Ziobro
Ziobro v. Skulls Productions. The movie “The Skulls” is allegedly nearly
identical to a story written by the plaintiff, suit claims. New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing March 2002
Ruling – “Like Water For Chocolate”
Esquivel v. Arau. Judge boots “Like Water for Chocolate” author’s suit
v. filmmaker, saying Mexico is better forum. Ruling NY Supreme Court.
Full Story Film New Filing January 1997
Ruling – Anaconda
Douglas v. Sony. Judge sanctions plaintiff counsel for seeking TRO in
copying case over "Anaconda" without asking for or seeing script. Ruling
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing May 1997
Ruling – Briarpatch
Briarpatch et al v. Phoenix et al. Federal court jurisdiction
appropriate in “Thin Red Line” case. Ruling 2nd Circuit. Full Story
Film Ruling August 2004
Ruling – Coming to America
Folke, Atnafu v. Paramount, Eddie Murphy. In short summary judgment
order, judge rules no reasonable trier of fact could find plaintiffs'
script similar to "Coming to America"; tosses case. Ruling SD New York.
Full Story Film New Filing February 1998
Ruling – Dante’s Peak
Hines, Jones v. Universal. Judges grants summary judgment for Universal
finding that "Dante's Peak" bore little resemblance to plaintiffs'
volcano script "Fire and Ice." Ruling CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing January 1998
Ruling – Godfather III
Nick Marino v. Kenoff & Machtinger. Upholding judgment for the defense
in malpractice case, appeals court deals yet another blow to long
unsuccessful litigant who claims he should have received screen credit
on “Godfather III.” Ruling California Court of Appeal. Full Story Film
New Filing December 2001
Ruling - Horrors
Shoptalk v. Concorde. Release of a film constitutes publications of
whatever portions of the underlying screenplay were used, the 2nd
Circuit says, following reasoning of 9th Circuit decision. Ruling 2nd
Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing April 1999
Ruling – Impact Pictures
May-Zur v. Dadon. Oral testimony, if credible, is sufficient to prove a
wire transfer was made, court says in decision over aborted $35,000
movie deal. Ruling California Court of Appeal. Full Story Film New
Filing October 2003
Ruling – James Bond
Danjaq v. Sony. In last gasp of James Bond litigation, court says laches
bars copyright claim for newly released DVDs of Bond films since
allegedly infringing material on DVD is the same as the original film.
Ruling 9th Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing August 2001
Ruling – Jingle All The Way
Murray Hill v. Fox. Jury verdict awarding damages for alleged copying of
another screenplay in film “Jingle All The Way” not supportable given
ruling that original treatment for “Jingle” could not have been copied.
Ruling 6th Circuit. Full Story Film Ruling April 2004
Ruling - Lone Star
Herzog v. Sayles. Circuit agrees with district court that attending film
festival at same time as someone else is not a strong link in a chain of
access; upholds dismissal of "Lone Star" infringement suit. Full Story
Film New Filing November 1999
Ruling - Malcolm X
Aalmuhammed v. Lee, Warner Bros. Dispute over consultant's claim of
co-authorship of movie "Malcolm X," prompts discussion of who exactly is
the "author" of a movie; consultant loses copyright claim. Full Story
Film New Filing February 2000
Ruling – McClintock
Batjac v. Goodtimes, Register of Copyrights. Circuit gives thumbs down
to movie co.'s attempt to resurrect unrenewed copyright in "McClintock!"
by registering two intermediate drafts of screenplay and suing for
infringement of them. Ruling 9th Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing
January 1999
Ruling – Pan and Scan
Batjac v. UAV. In case of first impression, Los Angeles judge finds that
the "pan-and-scan" reduction of the film "McClintock" from wide-screen
to video format is sufficiently original to warrant copyright
protection. Ruling CD California. Full Story Film New Filing June
2000
Ruling – Polydoros
Polydoros v. Twentieth Century Fox. Non-celebrity whose name and
likeness were used in a fictional movie about sandlot baseball has no
invasion of privacy, negligence or defamation claim. Ruling California
Court of Appeal. Full Story Film New Filing October 1997
Ruling – Regarding Henry
Joan and John Cox v. Paramount. Indiana couple lose claim that
"Regarding Henry" was based on wife's unpublished manuscript of book
about husband's motorcycle accident. Ruling SD New York. Full Story
Film New Filing July 1997
Ruling – Rounders
Grosso v. Miramax. Screenwriter’s claim that the ideas for “Rounders”
were stolen from his screenplay, “The Shell Game,” survive as breach of
implied contract claim, though not as copyright claim. Ruling 9th
Circuit. Full Story Film Ruling October 2004
Ruling – Set it Off
Christopher Robinson v. New Line Cinema. Circuit overturns summary
judgment for defense over alleged copying of script for "Set It Off,"
saying theory of access and claim of similarity were not so far-fetched
as to permit dismissal. Ruling 4th Circuit. Full Story Film New
Filing June 2000
Ruling – Stepmom
Silvers v. Sony. In case of first impression, court in “Stepmom”
plagiarism suit says assignment of copyright cause of action without
underlying copyright is valid. Ruling 9th Circuit. Full Story Film New
Filing July 2003
Ruling – Streetscenes
Streetscenes et al. v. ITC Entertainment, Inc. et al. Citing speculative
value of unmade entertainment products, court reverses part of damage
award in case where production company was found liable for behavior of
individual producer; does not reverse punitive award, however, saying
remand would only “kill more trees” confirming defendants’ bad behavior.
Ruling California Court of Appeal. Full Story Film New Filing January
2003
Ruling – Stromback
Stromback v. New Line. Plaintiff’s dark and humorless screenplay
adaptation of his own poem is not substantially similar to defendants’
Adam Sandler-starring comedy “Little Nicky.” Ruling 6th Circuit. Full
Story
Ruling – The Catcher
Bencich, Friedman v. Hoffman. Authorship of treatment vests writer with
co-authorship of resulting script and, absent other arrangements,
separate right to license script to be made into film. Ruling DC
Arizona. Full Story Film New Filing June 2000
Ruling – The Negotiator
Sam Bailey v. New Regency, et al. Plaintiff who said "The Negotiator"
infringed on his script failed to present sufficient evidence that date
on defendant's pre-existing script was false. Ruling 4th Circuit. Full
Story Film New Filing October 2000
Ruling – There’s Something About Mary
Vince Offer v. Peter Farrely, 20th Century Fox. Plaintiff can't show
"There's Something About Mary" was based on his "sick, not funny" skits,
judge says; alleged conduit didn't see Mary script until months after it
was finished. Ruling CD California. Full Story Film New Filing April
2000
Ruling – Welles Oscar
Beatrice Welles v. AMPAS. Daughter of the late Orson Welles wins the
right to sell her father’s 1942 Academy Award because Academy botched
the agreement that would have prevented her from doing so. Ruling CD
California. Full Story Film Ruling April 2004
Ruling – Wellman
Wellman v. Writer's Guild. Circuit upholds Guild arbitration denying
screenwriter credit on the film "Fair Game." Ruling 9th US Circuit. Full
Story Film New Filing July 1998
Ruling – WGA Arbitration
New Line v. WGA. Dispute over whether writers had oral contract covering
their work on cancelled Michael Richards movie project is covered by
terms of WGA agreement and arbitrator must decide if it is arbitrable.
Ruling CD California. Full Story Film New Filing October 1997
New Filing – Liar, Liar
Russo, Gregg v. Universal et al. Producers allege "Liar, Liar" was based
on their ideas. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film, Merchandising
New Filing November 1997
New Filing – Mighty Ducks
Steven Brill v. The Walt Disney Company. Writer of "The Mighty Ducks"
screenplay sues under WGA agreement for his 5% of income from related
merchandising, which he takes to include creation of the hockey team of
the same name. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film,
Merchandising, Sports New Filing December 1998
New Filing – J.Lo Video
Maureen Marder v. Jennifer Lopez, Sony Music Entertainment, Paramount
Pictures. A woman who says she was the inspiration for – and co-author
of – the movie “Flashdance” sued the producers of a music video that
re-creates scenes from the movie without her permission. New Filing CD
California. Fu
The Starmaker
Franchise Pictures v. Zepter International. Defendant has allegedly
failed to pay most of $2.1 million it owed for placement of Sylvester
Stallone’s sunglasses and other products in the movie “Driven.” New
Filing CD California. Full Story Advertising, Film New Filing
December 2001
Ruling – Hanson James Bond Ad
MGM, Danjaq v. Hanson plc. Judge rules that Hanson commercial starring
Roger Moore as suave, dashing person is a $1.25 million infringement on
James Bond character; adds $800,000 for fees. Ruling CD California. Full
Story Advertising, Film New Filing January 1998
Ruling – Spider-Man
Sherwood 48 Associates v. Sony. Time Square property owners miffed by
digital replacement of their ad signage in “Spiderman” lose in federal
court, but can take up one of their claims in state court. Ruling 2nd
Circuit. Full Story Advertising, Film New Filing November 2003
Ruling – Seven
Sandoval v. New Line. Background shots of artist's photographs in
"Seven" were so brief and indistinct that use was "de minimis" and no
fair use analysis is necessary. Ruling 2nd Circuit. Full Story Art,
Film New Filing August 1998
Ruling – Statue Photos
Jack Leigh v. Warner Brothers. Copyright to book cover photo of cemetary
statue does not extend to appearance of statue or cemetary themselves or
idea of using them; film footage not substantially similar to photo.
Ruling 11th Circuit. Full Story Art, Film New Filing September 2000
New Filing – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Legislator 1357 v. MGM. Studio never obtained rights to Ian Fleming’s
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” story for renewal term and so doesn’t have
rights to its movie of the same name, suit alleges. New Filing SD New
York. Full Story Copyright, Film New Filing June 2004
Ruling – Antz
Seals-McClellan v. Dream Works. An unpublished opinion strikes down a
claim that Dream Works based its movie “Antz” upon a 1994 Disney contest
entry. Ruling 9th US Court of Appeals. Full Story Copyright, Film
Ruling January 2005
New Filing – Superman
Siegel v. Warner Bros. The heirs of a co-creator of the “Superman” comic
strip have sued to capture a 50% share of all licensing revenues
associated with the character. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Copyright, Film, Merchandising, Publishing New Filing November 2004
“Contact” Pay-or-Play
Kennedy Miller v. Warner Bros. Producer-Director George Miller alleges
Warner violated a ”written but unsigned" pay-or-play contract by firing
him from the flick "Contact" without paying him $4 million. New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing July 1999
36-Year Delay in Bringing Claim Good Enough for Laches
Danjaq v. Sony. Delay of 36 years in bringing infringement suit over
"James Bond" movies, while MGM spent billions building franchise and
most key witnesses died, is basis for laches defense. Ruling CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing June 2000
Maness v. Heavrin. 8th Circuit says movie was work for hire and the
copyright now owned by man who financed it. Unpublished Ruling 8th
Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing November 1996
Appellate – “Legend of White Horse”
Fleet v. CBS. Copyright law preempts actors from using publicity rights
to stop sale of movie over a pay dispute. Ruling California Court of
Appeals. Full Story Film New Filing January 1997
Appellate -- Benji Loses
Mulberry v. State Farm. Circuit says insurer had no obligation to defend
“Benji” rights owner from counterclaims in film dispute. Ruling 5th
Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing January 1997
Appellate -- Laurel and Hardy
Feiner v. Turner. Defendant's failure to renew license to Laurel & Hardy
shorts isn't irreparable harm to plaintiff who missed failure for 18
months. Ruling 2nd Circuit. Full Story Film New Filing June 2000
Appellate - Marilyn Monroe
Monroe v. Odyssey. Jury verdict that Marilyn Monroe’s assistant wrongly
took personal effects upheld on appeal. Ruling California Court of
Appeals. Full Story Film New Filing January 1997
Author Says Fox Spiked Story For
Author of book about Nebraska murders says Fox optioned rights but
refused to put project into turnaround because it would compete with
film about same murders, "Boys Don't Cry." Full Story Film New Filing
October 1999
Breach of Contract
Columbia Tristar Home Video v. Cinetel Films. Columbia says Cinetel hid
income on joint film projects. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1996
Couple Can't Deduct Advances to Own Film Company
The Rosenbergs v. IRS. Efforts by plastic surgeon and wife to deduct
advances they made to their own movie company are unavailing. Ruling US
Tax Court. Full Story Film New Filing March 2000
Frederick's Sues Over Film of Founder's Life
Famous intimate apparel retailer seeks injunction barring studio from
using its name in movie based on life of store's founder. Full Story
Company that makes "Requestar" software for large film library
management says film companies have neither paid their agreed $3.9
million fee nor uninstalled it. Full Story Film New Filing August
1999
Golan Says Wrongly Fired From Film Co.
Producer says he was wrongly fired, manhandled from office, defamed and
bilked of credit and fee; says deft.'s lawyer then refused to draft
settlement unless hired to produce Golan's next film Full Story Film
New Filing August 1999
Shores v. Samuel Goldwyn Co. et. al. Class action securities suit
against Goldwyn alleging merger with Metromedia benefited insiders. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing July 1996
Hoffman v. Castle Rock
Kennedy Miller v. Warner Bros. Producer-Director George Hoffman v.
Castle Rock. Actor alleges that Castle Rock breached an agreement to use
him in new, unspecified film. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1999
Net Profit Class Action
Estate of Garrison v. Warner Bros. Judge Takasugi grants class action
status to claims that the "net profit" formula used by most studios is
an antitrust violation. Ruling CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing July 1996
New Complaint – Anaconda
Alonzo Douglas v. Sony. Writer who submitted script titled “Anaconda” to
Sony says the new film of that name is based o his script. New Filing CD
California. Full Story
New Complaint -- Animated Film
Burbank Animation v. INI Entertainment. Studio says a group of
distributors made misrepresenations during settlement of previous suit
over rights to 13 animated classics. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Complaint – Showtime
Zotnowski v. Yellen. Development exec says she was promised $50,000 and
co-producer credit on "Indian Summer." New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing May 1997
New File – Niss
Niss v. 1,200 cable companies. Son of author of "Pendulum," who in
related action is claiming ownership, seeks class status for cablers who
rebroadcast HBO showing of the movie; he notes that defendants are
indemnified by HBO. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New
Filing July 2000
New Filing -- "Phantoms"
Fuji Creative v. Miramax, August. Film backer and distributor says it is
getting aced out of recoupment priority. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing November 1996
New Filing - “Beginner’s Luck”
Barasch and Pawluk v. Sony Pictures, et al. Copyright owners of play
“Beginner’s Luck” claim Sony film about the life of the murdered actor
Bob Crane copies dialog and action from the play without consent. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2003
New Filing – “Bone Daddy”
Kushner-Locke v. Complete Guaranty. Movie firm sues to stop arbitration
by completion bond company over "Bone Daddy." New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing May 1999
New Filing – “Clockstoppers”
Santa Fe Entertainment v. Paramount Pictures. The owners of a motion
picture screenplay “It’s About Time” claim that Paramount Pictures
copied without authorization all aspects of their script in its creation
of the film “Clockstoppers.” New Filing CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing June 2003
New Filing – “Daylight”
Tony Anthony, Howard Worth v. Universal, MCA. Two writers say “Daylight”
was based on their script, “The Tunnel.” New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing February 1997
New Filing – “Freakshow”
Nick Griffin, Mike Ferrucci v. Miramax Film Corp. The authors of a
horror film screenplay entitled “Freakshow” claim that Miramax’s 2002
film, “Halloween Resurrection” copied without authorization creative
elements from the screenplay. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing May 2003
New Filing – “Gang of Roses”
Lite Stone Entertainment v. DEJ Productions, Roses and Guns Productions,
et al. The owner of the motion picture screenplay “Jessie’s Girl” claims
the producers of the movie “Gang of Roses” copied the plot and
characters of the screenplay to create their movie. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2004
New Filing – “Going Down”
Millennium Films v. Madonna, et al. Film company says it spent money and
signed finance deals based on singer/actress' promise to appear in movie
"Going Down," now faces litigation because she declines to appear. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing October 2000
New Filing - “Hollywood’s Hottest”
Film Studios v. Radioactive Films. Studios allege that the creator of
the “Hollywood’s Hottest” compilation films uses scenes from major
motion pictures without permission. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing October 2003
New Filing - “Ota Benga” Rights
Roland Films v. Schwab. Indie film company seeks to enforce option on
screenplay “Ota Benga” after disagreement with writer about whether the
option expired or was extended. New Filing SD New York. Full Story
Film New Filing January 2002
New Filing -- “Ransom”
IAMAW v. Disney. Machinists’ Union says Disney’s portrayal of corrupt,
criminal union guys in “Ransom” is defamatory. New Filing Prince
George’s County, Maryland, Circuit Court. Full Story Film New Filing
January 1997
New Filing – “Rich Girl”
Rich Girl v. Associated Dutch Media. Movie firm says various firmss
distributed, marketed the film “Rich Girl” without authorization. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – “Space Truckers”
Pachyderm v. Goldcrest. “Space Truckers” maker says Goldcrest tried to
distribute film, instead of making distribution deal. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing February 1997
New Filing – “The Final Countdown”
The Byrna Company, Kirk Douglas v. Majestic Films. The company that
financed the science fiction film “The Final Countdown” claims that the
film’s current owner failed to meet the financial obligations agreed
upon by its predecessor. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing January 2004
New Filing – “The Nephew”
Donald Tavey v. Pierce Brosnan, Irish Dream Time. Writer says the
upcoming Brosnan film "The Nephew" bears "shocking similarities" to his
own "Wild Nights in Castleberry." New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing October 1997
New Filing – “The Quest”
Dux v. Van Damme. Martial arts expert says action star didn’t pay agreed
fee for consulting, creating the story for “The Quest.” New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – “The Red Door”
Saffron v. Praxis. Producer says he has not been paid his fee or given
his credit for film based on the screenplay “The Red Door.” New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing February 2002
New Filing – “The River Wild”
River Enterprises v. Universal. Film company alleges "The River Wild" is
based on its earlier release "Damned River." New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing October 1997
New Filing – “While You Were Sleeping”
Sarkissian v. Disney. Producer of “While You Were Sleeping,” says it
made $75 million, while Disney says it lost $21 million. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – “X-Men” Book
David Hayter v. Twentieth Century Fox, Newmarket Press. Screenwriter
claims Twentieth Century Fox and Newmarket Press failed to ensure that
he received credit for his contributions to the motion picture “X-Men 2”
in a book published about the film. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing June 2003
New Filing – 9 ½ Weeks
Jonesfilm v. New Galactic. Owner of film "9 1/2 Weeks" says other
company is demanding net profits on the 1986 film when there aren't any,
plus an extra $750,000 for good measure. New Filing NY Supreme. Full
Story Film New Filing December 1998
New Filing – A Fool And His Money
Blossom Pictures v. Chronicle Films. Owner of rights to old Sandra
Bullock film accuses film company of retitling the movie and
distributing it as its own. New Filing SD New York. Full Story
New Filing – A Knight’s Tale
Tim Van Rellim v. Brian Helgeland, Alan Wertheimer, Todd Black. Producer
says co-producers, attorney, conspired to keep him from getting his
share of a gross revenue participation in the film “A Knight’s Tale.”
New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 2001
New Filing – A Touch of Evil
Beatrice Wells v. Universal. Daughter of Orson Welles says studio should
not bill a new cut of "A Touch of Evil" as a director's cuts, even
though it was re-edited according to a detailed complaint letter he sent
to studio. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing January
1999
New Filing – Abbie Hoffman
America Hoffman v. Lion's Gate, Robert Greenwald Productions. Son of
late anti-war activist Abbie Hoffman says the son's portrayal in the
film "Steal This Movie" is inaccurate. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing August 2000
New Filing – Accent v. Universal
Donald Engel's law firm files complaint for interpleader to resolve
dispute over $66,000 left over from his $11.6 million win against
Universal in "Pirates" lawsuit. Full Story Film New Filing July 1999
New Filing – Active Intermedia
Haber v Active Intermedia. Investor says distribution company decided to
redeem preferred shares with more preferred shares instead of cash,
prompting investor to sue. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New
Filing February 2003
New Filing – Agent 008
Carlos Jackson v. Various Universal execs. Man claims he dropped earlier
lawsuit against Universal based on promises by execs to help his career,
develop his "Agent 008" script, but execs allegedly reneged. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 2000
New Filing – Air Bud
Kevin DiCicco v. Keystone, Disney, Miramax, et al. Trainer of remarkable
dog star of "Air Bud" says movies companies tricked him into signing
away rights, failed to pay contingent profits and merchandising. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 1998
New Filing – Air Bud
Barry Perelman Enterprises v. Keystone. Producer says film company dealt
him out of deal to make "Air Bud." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
Film New Filing January 1998
New Filing – Air Bud
Mendelson, Tamasy v. Malvan Productions, Keystone Entertainment. Writers
of “Air Bud” and its sequel allege they have not received the “net
profits” they were promised and have been cut out of third “Air Bud”
film. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 2001
New Filing – Air Force One
Katherine Celli, John Celli v. Sony. Writers allege "Air Force One" was
based on their treatment for an Air Force One hijack story. New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing August 1997
New Filing – Alice Marble
The Longstreets v. Artists and Authors Group, Estate of Marble.
Producers are mad about buying rights to book about tennis player/spy
Alice Marble from estate, when estate didn't own those rights. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing June 2000
New Filing – Along for the Ride
Montivagus Productions v. Artisan Entertainment. Defendants are
piggy-backing on success of independent film “Along for the Ride” by
re-issuing the failed Melanie Griffith/Patrick Swayze movie “Forever
LuLu” on DVD and video under the name “Along for the Ride,” suit
charges. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing
November 2001
New Filing – Alpha Dog
Initial Entertainment v. Nicholas Cassavetes. Film company says writer
hired to help with movie “Alpha Dog” has asserted ownership interest in
the screenplay. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
December 2004
New Filing – Alpha Satellite
Warner Bros. v. Alpha Satellite. Greek company allegedly has failed to
pay $1.1 million license fee for license to distribute certain Warner
Bros. movies in Greece. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing February 2003
New Filing – Alvin and the Chipmunks
Bagdasarian v. Universal. Studio has allegedly breached agreement by
failing to aggressively use and promote characters "Alvin and the
Chipmunks," say heirs to rights. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
Film New Filing September 2000
New Filing -- Amistad
Chase-Riboud v. Dreamworks. Author alleges that film "Amistad" is based
on her book about the same historical incident. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing November 1997
New Filing – Andrews Sisters
Lynda Wells, Jean Rogers Hill v. ABC, Time Warner, Lakeside Productions.
Heirs of Andrews Sisters filed publicity rights suit over use of
sound-alikes in "The Shining." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Anna Nicole Smith
Vince Offer v. Anna Nicole Smith. Producer says Playmate/heiress cost
him hundreds of thousands of dollars when she allegedly backed out of
deal to appear in film with "Long Island Lothario" Joey Buttafuoco. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing October 2000
New Filing – Another 9 ½ Weeks
Gieben v. CineVisions, Paramount. Exec says he was fired after he
wouldn’t sign unsupported cost reports for "Another 9 1/2 Weeks." New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Hawkins v. Anthony Edwards, Disney. Producer sues actor/producer,
studio for allegedly cutting him out of movie deal. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing October 2000
New Filing - Antz
David Sears-McClellan v. DreamWorks. "Antz" is copied from plaintiff's
submission, "The Single Allegorical Adventure of Eddie the Existential
Ant," at a 1994 Chesterfield/Disney contest, suit alleges. Full Story
Film New Filing October 1999
New Filing – Apt Pupil
Baker v. Phoenix Pictures. Third actor sues over filming of nude school
shower scene for the movie Apt Pupil. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing June 1997
New Filing – Arkoff
Film Office v. Arkoff. French distributor sues Arkoff, seeking
declaration that its license to distribute Arkoff films in France is
valid. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Arlington Road
Columbia TriStar, Sony v. Time Warner, ShowTime, et al. TriStar things
it has domestic pay TV rights to "Arlington Road." So does Showtime. So
does Time Warner. TriStar goes to court to untangle it all. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing June 1999
New Filing – Artisan
Artisan Entertainment v. Roman Polanski. Distributor says director kept
$1 million in VAT refunds from "The Ninth Gate" for himself instead of
depositing it into production accounts. New Filing CD California. Full
Story
New Filing - Artisan Entertainment
Artisan v. United American Video. Film company said video company has
underpaid royalties and continued to sell videos after expiration of
license and sell-off period. Full Story Film New Filing November 1999
New Filing – Artist Management
Alcon v. AMG. Film production company wants refund of money it spent on
rights to inspiring true story of integrated 1955 Alabama Little League
team after learning that the story was not true. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing June 2002
New Filing – Asylum
Schwartz v. Sealskin. Scriptwriter says his former partner took a
jointly written screenplay for “Asylum” and sold it as his own. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December 1996
New Filing – Australian Films
New South Wales Film & Television v. Collins, Greenberg, Lewis, et al.
Australian film bureau says former execs and Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman
lawyer conspired to get distribution rights to Australian films for
nominal payments. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
August 1998
New Filing – Ave Maria
Worldwide Films v. Ardi. Entertainment attorney accused of malpractice
in connection with deal to make a movie about the life of Pope John Paul
II. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing June 2003
New Filing – Barbershop
MGM v. Mark Brown, Beauty Shop LLC. Lawsuit filed over “Beauty Shop,”
allegedly an unauthorized spin-off from the “Barbershop franchise.” New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing January 2004
New Filing – Batman and Robin
Warner v. Carri. Makers of “Batman and Robin” movie sue group that
allegedly sneaked onto set and took pictures to sell later on. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing March 1997
New Filing – Bay Films
Mark Pittman v. Michael Bay, Bay Films. Lawyer/producer says he was cut
out of his own deal to produce movie of script “Kings Ransom” and
offered a producing fee of $0.00. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
Film New Filing May 2001
New Filing – Beacon Kinowelt
Beacon Communications v. Kinowelt Lizenzwertungs GmbH, Metropolitan
Filmexport. Film company seeks to cancel foreign distribution license
for such films as “Thirteen Days” and “The Family Man” for defendants’
alleged failure to make payments. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing December 2001
New Filing – Beat
Background Productions v. Beat, Courtney Love. Mexican producers level a
wide range of claims against singer/actress and others over the movie
"Beat." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August
2000
New Filing – Beat Generation
Renaissance v. Calliope. After repeatedly being denied a license, makers
of film "The Source" went ahead anyway and used footage from documentary
"The Beat Generation." Full Story Film New Filing March 2000
New Filing – Beatrice Welles
Beatrice Welles v. AMPAS. Daughter of late Oscar winner Orson Welles
seeks declaration that she can auction father’s Oscar statuette at
Christie’s. New Filing WD California. Full Story Film New Filing
October 2003
New Filing – Beauty Salon
Beautysalon LLC v. MGM. Another chapter filed in the fight over a
“Beauty Shop” follow-up to “Barber Shop.” New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2004
New Filing – Belushi
James Belushi v. Terence Michael, Storm Entertainment. Actor files
publicity rights suit over Variety ad saying he had signed on to do film
that he actually turned down. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1998
New Filing – Belushi
Belushi v. Wilde. Actor says he agreed to appear in “Gold in the
Streets” on condition his name and likeness not be used in ads. It was,
allegedly causing appearance of a “glut” of Belushi films. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing February 1997
New Filing – Berman
Shelley Berman v. Hammerhead Films. “A Hotel Is A Place,” a 30-year-old
book and comedy routine about businessman who can’t stop hotel from
leaving more little bars of soap was allegedly infringed by film “Hotel
Soap,” suit says. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing November 2001
New Filing – Betty Boop
Republic Entertainment v. Fleischer Studios. Republic seeks declaration
that it owns some "Betty Boop" shorts it got from Paramount,
notwithstanding separate litigation in which Fleischer claimed to own
"Betty Boop copyrights." New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing December 1997
New Filing -- Blade
Cleveland Williams IV et al. v. Amen Ra. Three extras say they were
injured by improperly stored fake blood on shooting of "Blade." New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing May 1998
New Filing – Blade
Marvin Wolfman v. New Line. Comic book author says he created the
characters of Blade and Deacon Frost, now seen in the film "Blade," in
1972, and retains rights. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing September 1998
New Filing - Blair Witch
Artisan v. UA, Regal. Film distributor says theatre owners have not paid
millions they owe for showing "The Blair Witch Project." Full Story
Film New Filing February 2000
New Filing – Blair Witch
Artisan Releasing v. Regal Cinemas. Distributor says theatre chain has
failed to pay $6 million in license fees for exhibition of surprise hit
"The Blair Witch Project." Full Story Film New Filing March 2000
New Filing – Blues Brothers 2000
Universal v. David I. Alpert. Universal seeks order barring promoter
from saying he’s authorized to market "Blues Brothers 2000.” New Filing
CD California. Full Story Film New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Bogart Chair
Noe v. Warner Bros., Community Television of Southern California. Man
who bought Warner-donated chair at 1975 benefit auction sues when he
finds out Bogart didn't really sit in it in "Casablanca." New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Broken Arrow
Theodore Cochran v. Mark Gordon Co. Writer says "Broken Arrow" was based
on his treatment and outline from 1985. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing April 1998
New Filing – Brothers in Arms
New Line v. The Vines Agency. New Line says it owed writer Paul
Alexander $5,000 but cut him a check for $25,000. It wants the rest
back. New Filing NY Supreme Court. Full Story
New Filing – Bruno
Lewis Horwitz Org. v. Kirkpatrick, MacLaine. Plaintiff seeks repayment
of $28,000 odd left from loan to finance pre-production of film to be
called "Bruno." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
September 2000
New Filing – Burt Lancaster
US Trust Co. et al. v. MGM. Trusts holding film revenue rights of late
actor Burt Lancaster say studio has been underpaying, charging excessive
fees and misallocating film package revenues. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing September 2003
New Filing – Café au Lait
Diane Johnson v. Mathieu Kassovitz. Writer alleges "Café Au Lait" is
based on her script. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New
Filing August 1997
New Filing -- Cannon/Assonitis
Ovidio Assonitis v. Cannon Pictures, Pathe. Former chairman/CEO says
Pathe and Cannon failed to pay settlement over his dismissal. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November 1996
New Filing - Cantinflas
Moreno Laparade v. Columbia, Moreno Ivanova. Nephew of Cantinflas sues
actor’s son, Columbia over film revenue. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing February 1997
New Filing – Casper, the Friendly Ghost
Harvey Entertainment v. BVS Entertainment, Disney. Owners of the
character Casper the Friendly Ghost allege that defendants failed to
properly share revenues from the direct-to-video flick “Casper: A
Spirited Beginning.” New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing November 2004
New Filing – Castle Rock
Morris, Richert v. Castle Rock, Sorkin, WGA. Two writers who say their
treatment was the basis of “The American President” and who sought
writer credits allege that the Writers Guild fouled up their challenge
and wrongly waived their rights. New Filing SD New York. Full Story
Film New Filing November 2001
New Filing – Cat Poster
Jingle Cats v. Disney. Cat music company alleges Disney poster promoting
“That Darn Cat” is copied from its poster promoting its “Meowy
Christmas” album. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing April 1997
New Filing – Central Casting
Entertainment Partners v. Central Los Angeles Casting. Central Casting
servicemark owner files infringement suit. New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Chan
Defendant agreed to pay more than HK$500,000 for Hong Kong/Macau rights
to 15 old Jackie Chan films; never paid, never meant to pay, plaintiff
charges. Full Story Film New Filing July 1999
New Filing – Chan Films
Shaw Productions v. Metropolitan Filmexport. Distributor of Jackie Chan
films says ex-distributor for France and French territories kept and is
serruptitiously distributing four of the films. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing May 1998
New Filing – Charlie Chaplin
Roy Export v. Century Home Video et al. Owner of Charlie Chaplin's
rights alleges US, Italian copyright infringement and US, California
trademark infringement over videos of early Chaplin silents that include
later added scores. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing February 1998
New Filing – Charlie’s Angels
Robert Wagner v. Sony, Columbia Pictures. Actor says he has not been
paid for the “Charlie’s Angels” films under 1973 agreement giving income
participation to him and his late wife. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2003
New Filing – Chase
Chase v. AXA Re, General Star, New Hampshire Insurance, Great Lakes Re,
Odyssey Re, Monegasque de Re. Bank says insurers are reluctant to take
their $25.7 million in losses on policy guaranteeing revenue
participation in “The General’s Daughter” and other films. New Filing NY
Supreme. Full Story Film New Filing January 2003
New Filing – Chicago
Camuto v. Richards, Miramax. Investor says he is owed a share of the
income from movie adaptation of stage play “Chicago.” New Filin
The Starmaker
Camuto v. Richards, Miramax. Investor says he is owed a share of the
York. Full Story Film New Filing January 2003
New Filing – Chris Tucker
Carlos Jackson v. Chris Tucker. Writer says actor ruined his chance to
make his movie about a black president by agreeing to star in "Guess
Who's the President." New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing November 2000
New Filing - Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris v. American Cinema Group. Norris says ACG violated failed
to pay him $100,000 owed on "Good Guys Wear Black." New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 1996
New Filing – Cineamerica Quake
Cineamerica v. TIG Insurance. Company sues insurer over failure to pay
for Northridge quake damage. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing December 1996
New Filing – Cinergi
Brandt Organization v. Andrew Vajna, et al. Class action shareholder
suit says former Cinergi chief bought company for much less than it was
worth. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December
2000
New Filing – Clive Cussler
Clive Cussler v. Crusader Entertainment. Author says production company
has failed to recognize his contractually-required approval rights over
screenplay adaptation of one of his novels, and anyway is taking too
February 2004
New Filing -- Closed Captioned DVDs
Boltz v. Disney, Warner Bros. Class action suit claims studios are
deceptively marketing DVDs to the hearing impaired with labelling
implying they are fully closed captioned when they aren't. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December 2004
Columbia v. Caridi. Studio says AMPAS member has been copying movies
from the Academy Awards screeners he receives and distributing them. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing February 2004
New Filing – Columbia
Cinerenta v. Columbia. German partnerships say Columbia fudged figures
when distributing 11 films, including “Stir Crazy.” New Filing SD New
York. Full Story Film New Filing February 1997
New Filing – Confederacy of Dunces
Kramer, Soderbergh v. Paramount. Execs say Paramount reneged on giving
them control of “Confederacy of Dunces” film. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing December 1996
New Filing - Cotton Club
Orion v. Renegade. Orion says infringing video "The Cotton Club -- The
Untold Story" forced it to cancel its own re-release of video or 1984
movie "The Cotton Club." Full Story
New Filing -- Crimson Tide
Waid v. Disney. Former USN sub captain says his script was the basis for
Crimson Tide. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
September 1996
New Filing – Dadon
David Dadon v. Avi Lerner, et al. Producers says he helped get "The
Replicant" off the ground, but didn't get his $150,000 or producer
credit. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing July 2000
New Filing – Daniel Webster
Corrinne Mann v. Alec Baldwin. Actor’s former joint venture producing
partner sues, saying he is cutting her out of agreed role and
compensation for new movie, “The Devil and Daniel Webster.” New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing March 2001
New Filing – Dante’s Peak
Hines, Jones v. Universal. Two writers say the script for “Dante’s Peak
“ was copied from a script they submitted in 1995. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing March 1997
New Filing – Dawn of the Dead
MKR Group v. Strike Entertainment. Copyright owner of the 2004 remake of
the cult classic “Dawn of the Dead” is suing to terminate the sequel
negotiation rights of the film’s producer. New Filing SD New York. Full
Story Film New Filing February 2005
New Filing – Day of the Triffids
TV Matters b.v. v. Video Media Marketing. Dutch firm says it owns right
to “Day of the Triffids,” which US firm is licensing for TV use. New
Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing March 1997
New Filing – Debbie Does Dallas
VCX v. Coastline Films. Adult film distributor says business successors
of original maker of “Debbie Does Dallas” persist in distributing the
movie even though the rights transferred in 1979 and were the subject of
an earlier lawsuit. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing February 2003
New Filing – Debra Winger
Debra Winger v. CineFin. Actor says film company stopped "Divine
Rapture" after two weeks of shooting but failed to pay her pay-or-play
fee of $1.5 million, which was supposed to be held in escrow but was
not. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing June 1997
New Filing -- Decade v. Decade
Decade v. Decade. Decade Entertainment Group sued Richard Donner and
Joel Silver for calling their film partnership "Decade." New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing September 1996
New Filing – DeLosSantos
AQS v. Carole DeLosSantos, CD Entertainment. Czech firm licensed TV
broadcast rights to 102 kung fu movies from defendant – even though
defendant never owned those rights – then received low-grade video
copies that couldn’t even be used, suit alleges. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing July 2001
New Filing – Dennis Little
20th Century Fox v. Little. Fox says former chief of International
Theatrical Print Services took kickbacks, conspired with vendors. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Diane Ladd
Victor Television v. Diane Ladd. Actress allegedly refuses to return
$30,000 mistakenly paid her for extra day of a movie shoot. New Filing
LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November 1997
New Filing – Diane Lane
Diane Lane v. Intermedia Film Equities. Actress seeks $2.66 million,
allegedly the remainder of a “pay-or-play” contract for her to appear
with Bruce Willis in the never-made film “Me Again.” New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 2003
New Filing -- DiCaprio
Polo Pictures v. Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire. Producer alleges DiCaprio
and friend tried to keep film from being distributed because Maguire
thought his performance would be bad for his career. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing May 1998
New Filing – DiCaprio/Maguire
DiCaprio v. Schindler. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire claim
1999 settlement agreement allows them to bar release of 1995 short film,
“Don’s Plum,” that they made with some “friends.” New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing October 2004
New Filing -- Directors Guild
Stone v. DGA. Director files cross-complaint in suit over whether he or
DGA owns his documentary about film directors. New Filing LA Superior.
Full Story Film New Filing October 1996
New Filing – Disney
Disney v. Digital Video Depot. Defendant has allegedly been selling
copies of Disney DVD packaging art on its website to assist in the
making of counterfeit covers. New Filing CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing July 2004
New Filing -- Disney Animations
Bickerdike v. Disney. Three Texas video buyers filed a class action suit
charging there are hidden sex message in the Disney animations
"Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid" and "The Lion King." New Filing Angelina
County District Court. Full Story Film New Filing October 1996
New Filing – Dolby Patent
Drexler v. Dolby, Entire Movie Industry. Technology company says "Dolby
Digital" method of putting sound in motion pictures infringes on its
patents. New Filing ND California. Full Story Film New Filing
September 1998
New Filing – Don Juan Demarco
Laskay v. New Line, American Zoetrope. Writer who bought English
language rights to "Man Facing Southeast" says studios stole concept and
script. New Filing LA Superior. Removal CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing May 1997
New Filing – Don’s Plum
John Schindler v. Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire. Producer says actors
wrongly blocked him and others from enjoying the benefits of early
movie, “Don’s Plum,” in which they acted before they became stars. New
Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing December 2004
New Filing – Donnie Brasco
Michael Buffer v. Sony. Ring announcer claims his servicemark phrase
“Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” was infringed in “Booty Call.” New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Donnie Brasco
John Cerasani v. Sony Pictures. Man depicted as a murderer in “Donnie
Brasco,” but acquitted of the charge in real life, sues for libel. New
Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Drag Racing
Racer X v. Universal Pictures. Sports car racer Raphael Estevez says the
movie “The Fast and the Furious” was based on his life, but he received
no credit or compensation. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New
Filing March 2002
New Filing – Drumline
Darryl D. Lassiter, 2 Believers Productions, et al. v. Twentieth Century
Fox Films, Fox Entertainment Group. Screenwriter claims that studios
copied several elements from his screenplay and movie “Pay the Price” to
create the motion picture “Drumline.” New Filing SD New York. Full Story
New Filing – Drumline
Darryl Lassiter v. Fox. Writer says “Drumline” was copied from his
movie, “Pay the Price,” about Black college marching bands. New Filing
SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing December 2003
New Filing – Dungeons & Dragons
TSR v. Sweetpea. Owner of Dungeons & Dragons game seeks declaration that
film option expired, notwithstanding Sweetpea's late and inadequate
filming. New Filing LA Superior; Removal to CD California. Full Story
Film New Filing May 1998
New Filing – DVD
Entire Movie Industry v. Three New York guys including one who calls
himself "Emmanuel Goldstein." Studios attack people distributing DVD
copying software via the Internet. Full Story Film New Filing January
2000
New Filing – DVD Copying
The major movie studios v. ESS Technology. Studios say chip maker is
selling DVD decryption chips to manufacturers not authorized to receive
them by the DVD Copy Control Association. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing May 2004
New Filing – DVD Copying Software
Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. v. Technology One.
Studios allege that website operator violated the Digital Millennium
Copyright Act by trafficking in computer software designed to circumvent
the content scramble system contained on DVDs. New Filing SD New York.
Full Story Film New Filing June 2004
New Filing – Dwight Yoakam
IATSE v. Dwight Yoakam. Union says country star turned movie director is
failing to honor written guarantees to pay wages and contributions if
film company failed to pay. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing August 2002
New Filing – Early Edition
Lois Luger v. Tristar. Producer says she was cut out of film remake deal
when Tristar turned idea into TV series instead of movie. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing August 1997
New Filing – Electronic Slate
Industry Advanced Technology v. Denecke. Patent suit over a back lit
electronic slate for movie production. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing December 1997
New Filing – Elegant Films
Elegant v. AIM Group. Plaintiffs, not defendants, are the owners of
exclusive rights to market and distribute “El Cid” and “55 Days at
Peking,” suit claims. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing October 2003
New Filing – Elevator
Hit Entertainment v. Cabin Fever. Hit alleges Cabin Fever backed out of
deal to distribute "Elevator" on spurious grounds. New Filing NY
Supreme. Full Story Film New Filing August 1997
New Filing – Elvis Documentary
Turner Entertainment Co. (TEC) and Jackie Gleason Enterprises are suing
the producers of an Elvis documentary for the alleged use of copyrighted
Elvis recordings without permission. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2003
New Filing – End Game
Sean Connery v. Peter Guber, Mandalay Pictures. Actor alleges production
company promised him $17 million to be in film “End Game” and kept
stringing him along even when they could not finance the film in order
to maintain the appearance of viability. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing October 2002
New Filing – Erik Estrada
Erik Estrada v. White Tiger Films. Actor says production company is
refusing to fork over $75,000 “pay-or-play” fee for cancelled film “Four
Corners of the Mafia.” New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New
Filing September 2003
New Filing -- Exit Zero
Butler v. Wimmer. Writer sues collaborator who allegedly took
unfinished, co-written script, reworked it and sold it for own benefit.
New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November 1996
New Filing – Fantasia 2000
Boodnick v. Disney. Disney worker who participated in brainstorm session
for "Fantasia 2000" says her idea for opening was used but promised
money and screen credit was not given. New Filing LA Superior. Full
Story Film New Filing October 2000
New Filing -- Fear
Universal v. No Fear. Studio seeks declaration that "Lost World"
products using word "fear" doesn’t infringe on clothing trademark. New
Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Film Critic
Rezec, Belknap and others similarly situated v. Sony Pictures
Entertainment. Aggrieved moviegoers who rushed to their local cinema to
see movies on the advice of fictional Sony film critic David Manning
seek the help of class action counsel in their search for justice. New
Filing LA Superior Court. Full Story Film New Filing June 2001
New Filing – Film Editors
BPL v. Ichor, Evi Quaid. Plaintiff seeks $12.8 million saying defendants
are wrongly holding onto negatives and other materials of unnamed film.
New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing May 1999
New Filing – Film Script
Michael Fry v. Estate of Sagan. Writer says he pitched script to son of
Carl Sagan, who sold similar script to 20th Century Fox. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Fire Island Films
Larson v. Fire Island Films. An actor who watched what he believed was a
violent assault on two fellow actors but was actually a reality show
set-up is suing the production company and several actors for emotional
distress. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing May 2003
New Filing – Firestorm
Command Cinema v. 20th Century Fox. Adult film company says title of
film "Firestorm" infringes on its adult film series by same name. New
Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing May 1998
New Filing – Flynt Film
Kenneth Kahn v. Milos Forman, Oliver Stone. Lawyer who represented Larry
Flynt says his character did not appear in the film, in violation of
oral contract. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
November 1997
New Filing – For Which He Stands
Russo v. Cutting Edge. Writer sues film company for invasion of privacy
and copyright infringement for allegedly distorting his life story and
denying him final cut rights on "For Which He Stands," a film he wrote
about himself. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing
December 1997
New Filing – Forbidden Passion
United States Media v. Wherehouse. Video company alleges retailer sold
pirate copies after being told not to. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing January 1997
New Filing – Franchise
Morgan Creek v. Franchise Entertainment. Distributor sues film company
for allegedly breaching agreement giving it right of first refusal on
certain films, as well as allegedly failing to pay share of revenues
from “The Whole Nine Yards.” New Filing LA Superior. Full Story
The Starmaker
practicaly never happens." --MC
New Filing -- Viacom
Gal v. Viacom International. An Israeli author alleges “almost perfect
parallelism” between her 2000 screenplay and a novel by Mary Higgins
Clark. New Filing SD New York. Full Story New Filing February 2005
Did somebody steal a screenplay and turn it into a novel? What's the
world coming too!!!!
You guys want to see more? There's tons of this "that practically never
happens" stuff!
Copyright Infringement & The Truman Show [10:48 am]
A topical article from today’s NYTimes just before tonight’s Academy
Awards show: A Movie Pondered Reality. A Lawsuit Questions Its
Originality.
Mr. Mowry, an independent producer, contends that he originated the
idea as well as much of the language, setting and characters that made
their way into “The Truman Show” in a script he calls “The Crew.” It was
written in the early 1980’s and first copyrighted in 1986, five years
before Mr. Niccol’s first treatment, or synopsis, for “The Truman Show”
was registered with the Writers Guild of America.
[…] Regardless of how compelling the evidence may be, cases of this
sort are tough to prove. “You have to show access, how they got the
script,” said Otto L. Haselhoff, a lawyer in Los Angeles. “You have to
determine how much money or revenue is derived specifically from the
similarities in the material.” Mr. Haselhoff said that in 2001 he helped
a screenwriter, Bill Van Daalen, attain an “amicably resolved”
settlement with Adam Resnick and Paramount Pictures in a copyright
infringement case involving the script for the film “Lucky Numbers.”
“Sure, plaintiffs can win, but usually what happens is they settle
before they go to trial, and a condition is that the settlement remain
confidential,” Mr. Haselhoff said. “That’s why you never hear about
them.” He paused. “They are great cases if you are representing the
defendants,” he said, because movie studios “can pay a lot of money and
have got a lot of defenses and theory under the law.”
The Mowry case appears to be developing an audience among film
industry buffs, who see it as a whodunit dealing with the confusing
matters of copyright infringement. Joy R. Butler, a lawyer in
Washington, has been talking about Mr. Mowry’s case in seminars she
gives on legal matters of concern to creative artists. Examining the
court documents, she said, she found that “the entire concept of ‘The
Truman Show’ is present in the plaintiff’s copyrighted work.”
[…] Though creative concepts and ideas are not protected by
copyright laws, the unique expression of the idea is. “I have no
personal involvement in this case, but the reason I mention it in my
seminar is it represents a very good illustration of the separation of
idea, which is not protectable by copyright law, and the expression of
the idea,” Ms. Butler said. “If his case was about just another
screenplay, his ‘The Crew,’ about a man trapped in a fictitious world,
that would represent only his basic idea, and would not be protectable.
But Mr. Mowry cites numerous examples of verbatim copying.”
[..] And he still dreams. Lately, Mr. Mowry has begun thinking he
might like to adapt his “Crew” script for the stage. Why not?
Well, said Mr. Heller, his lawyer, there could be a risk in that:
“Would Craig’s ‘The Crew’ be subjected to copyright infringement on the
part of the people from ‘The Truman Show’?”
The Starmaker
I think I read somewhere, this "The Truman Show" thing was settled out
of court....the guy got his money.
“You have to show access, how they got the script,” said Otto L.
Haselhoff, a lawyer in Los Angeles.
What does that quote mean? You got to video tape these guys stealing
your script??
The Starmaker
> New Filing -- Viacom
> Gal v. Viacom International. An Israeli author alleges “almost perfect
> parallelism” between her 2000 screenplay and a novel by Mary Higgins
> Clark. New Filing SD New York. Full Story New Filing February 2005
I want the screen rights to that novel! Who do I contact?
The Starmaker
>
> The Starmaker wrote:
>
> > New Filing -- Viacom
> > Gal v. Viacom International. An Israeli author alleges “almost perfect
> > parallelism” between her 2000 screenplay and a novel by Mary Higgins
> > Clark. New Filing SD New York. Full Story New Filing February 2005
That sounds like a good idea. Steal someones screeplay and instead of
making a movie where the screenwriter might see it, make it into a
novel!
Screenwriters don't read books, do they?
Great idea to get stories for comic books writers too!
Any other suggestions on what to do with stolen screenplays?
Isn't stealing great!!!
I read The Wall Street Journal everyday, and all I read about is people
stealing, stealing, stealing....
It seems to be the way big money is really made.
The Starmaker
The Starmaker
>
> "Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
> practicaly never happens." --MC
New Filing – Frequency
Selby v. New Line, Emmerich. Writer claims film "Frequency" is
substantially similar to his screenplay "Doubletime." New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing April 2000
New Filing – Funny Girl
Wyler Summit v. Sony Pictures. Partnership alleges Sony has not
correctly calculated gross revenues on "Funny Girl." New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing January 1998
New Filing – Gable Oscar
AMPAS v. Estate of Clark Gable. Academy effort to stop actor’s estate
from auctioning off Oscar forestalled by Spielberg. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing January 1997
New Filing - Gangs of New York
Grimaldi v. Disney, Artists Management Group. Producer says he put 20
years of effort into movie "Gangs of New York," then Ovitz insisted
Disney breach contract with Grimaldi to give Scorsese producer credit.
Full Story Film New Filing December 1999
New Filing – Gemka
Gemka v. FR Film Distribution. In $2.65-million case over "2001: A Space
Travesty," plaintiff seeks court order barring enforcement of an
arbitration clause in an agreement to which it claims not to be a party.
New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing October 2000
New Filing – General Media
General Media v. Independent Artists. Distribution license for film
"Caligula" should be ended because licensee is not providing required
accountings, General Media alleges. New Filing NY Supreme Court. Full
Story Film New Filing July 2000
New Filing - Genesis Documentaries
Image v. Genesis Partners et al. Plaintiff says it advanced defendant
$125,000 for production of a documentary about recording artist Juvenile
that was then licensed to a different company. New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing February 2002
New Filing – Girls Gone Wild
Michelle Padilla v. Mantra Films. Woman was included in “Girls Gone
Wild” video – as well as TV and Internet ads – without her consent,
lawsuit alleges. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing
August 2003
New Filing -- Godzilla
Toho v. Best Buy. Film company that owns Godzilla says Best Buy’s use of
clay Godzilla figure is trademark violation. New Filing CD California.
Full Story Film New Filing April 1997
New Filing – Golden Light
Paul Williams, Golden Light Productions v. Hillman Capital Partners,
Richard Hillman, Sr. Film producer claims that his former partner
engaged in a campaign to take over their documentary film on Tantric Sex
entitled, “The Best Ever.” New Filing CD California. Full Story Film
New Filing July 2004
New Filing – Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn, Jr. v. MGM, Metromedia. Producer says Metromedia vowed
to keep him on seven years and fund Goldwyn films unit, but instead sold
out to MGM, which fired him. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing November 1997
New Filing -- Gordy/Disney
RAS v. Disney. Makers of film "Gordy" say Disney is refusing to
distribute video overseas in dispute over minimum payment. New Filing LA
Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November 1996
New Filing – Greenberg Glusker
GSK Films v. Greenberg Glusker. Film partnership says law firm should
have known about and stopped the late David Begelman's pilfering of $1.9
million. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing November
1998
New Filing – Hakuna Matata
Team Stick v. Disney. Sponsor of Kenyan running team says it was using
Swahili phrase "Hakuna Matata" as a mark the year before "Lion King"
came out. New Filing SD New York. Full Story Film New Filing November
1997
New Filing – Half-Baked
Bernstein and Petersen v. Universal. Screenwriters allege the film
"Half-Baked" was based on their script. New Filing CD California. Full
Story Film New Filing December 1997
New Filing – Hallmark
Picture Entertainment v. Hallmark. Producer Lee Caplin says Hallmark,
Signboard reneged on oral contract that he would produce adaptation of
Faulkner tale. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film New Filing
February 1997
New Filing – Halloween
Compass v. Party Professionals. Owner of "Halloween" movie series says
defendant has been making an unauthorized "Michael Myers" mask for
years. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New Filing July 1997
New Filing – Hammer Films
Hammer Films v. Buzz. Hammer seeks declaration that Buzz' distribution
rights for "Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas" do not last in
perpetuity, but expired with first copyright term. New Filing CD
California. Full Story Film New Filing September 1998
New Filing – Hard Boiled
Fox Lorber v. Tapeworm. Fox Lorber, which owns US distribution rights
for movie "Hard Boiled" excluding Chinese-speaking community, says
defendant is distributing the movie too. New Filing SD New York. Full
Story Film New Filing April 1999
New Filing – Hardball
Paramount v. New Regency. Studio says distributor reneged on agreement
to fund part of film "Hardball" in exchange for foreign distribution
rights. Full Story Film New Filing May 2000
New Filing – Harry Shearer
Bernhard/Robson v. Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman. Producer files malpractice
case saying firm botched negotiations and then arbitration with Harry
Shearer over comedy script. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing July 1998
New Filing – Have Gun Will Travel
Paladin V. Time Warner. Producers allege Warner reneged on deal to do
"Have Gun Will Travel" movie. New Filing LA Superior. Full Story Film
New Filing April 1999
New Filing -- HBO Animations
Pulse v. HBO Asia. Copyright dispute over ownership of 24-film "Animated
Classics" series. New Filing CD California. Full Story Film New
Filing November 1996
New Filing – Hearsay
Hearsay v. World International. Defendant may have had right to take
over production of film “Hearsay,” but has so changed the content as to
have infringed on the copyright, suit alleges. New Filing CD California.
Full Story
The Starmaker
>
> The Starmaker wrote:
> >
> > "Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
> > practicaly never happens." --MC
Alonzo Douglas v. Sony. Writer who submitted script titled “Anaconda” to Sony says the new film of that name is based o his script.
“Clockstoppers”
Santa Fe Entertainment v. Paramount Pictures. The owners of a motion picture screenplay “It’s About Time” claim that Paramount Pictures copied without authorization all aspects of their script in its creation of the film “Clockstoppers.”
Patrick brothers v. Murphy. Pair of scriptwriters say their script was the basis of hit film, "The Nutty Professor."
Tony Anthony, Howard Worth v. Universal, MCA. Two writers say “Daylight” was based on their script, “The Tunnel.”
Lite Stone Entertainment v. DEJ Productions, Roses and Guns Productions, et al. The owner of the motion picture screenplay “Jessie’s Girl” claims the producers of the movie “Gang of Roses” copied the plot and characters of the screenplay to create their movie
Donald Tavey v. Pierce Brosnan, Irish Dream Time. Writer says the upcoming Brosnan film "The Nephew" bears "shocking similarities" to his own "Wild Nights in Castleberry."
Chase-Riboud v. Dreamworks. Author alleges that film "Amistad" is based on her book about the same historical incident.
Diane Johnson v. Mathieu Kassovitz. Writer alleges "Café Au Lait" is based on her script.
Waid v. Disney. Former USN sub captain says his script was the basis for Crimson Tide.
Hines, Jones v. Universal. Two writers say the script for “Dante’s Peak “ was copied from a script they submitted in 1995
Laskay v. New Line, American Zoetrope. Writer who bought English language rights to "Man Facing Southeast" says studios stole concept and script.
Butler v. Wimmer. Writer sues collaborator who allegedly took unfinished, co-written script, reworked it and sold it for own benefit.
Michael Fry v. Estate of Sagan. Writer says he pitched script to son of Carl Sagan, who sold similar script to 20th Century Fox.
Bernstein and Petersen v. Universal. Screenwriters allege the film "Half-Baked" was based on their script.
Chapin v. Kushner-Locke. Writer says KL fraudulently induced him to sign away his rights to a script called "Cutthroat."
Bloom v. Ferguson. Screenwriter accuses writer of “Maximum Risk” of plagiarising from his script, “Chain Reaction.”
Margaret McKenzie v. Paramount et al. The film “Lucky Numbers” infringes on the plaintiff’s screenplay “Money Trouble,” suit alleges
Glenn Willis v. Disney. Among other similarities, three-year gestation period for giant cockroaches is evidence Disney copied script submitted with internship application in making "Mimic," writer alleges
Masters v. Sony. A writer says the movie "Money Train" is based on the screenplay Sony optioned from him in 1988.
Dennis Manuel v. New Line Cinema. New York writer, representing himself, alleges that both "The Long Kiss Goodbye" and "Seven" infringe on the same script, which he wrote in 1978-1980
Nick Villiers v. Eric Fellner et al. Writer says long-time friend and producer used his ideas for a movie to be called "Cheeks" as part of the hit "Notting Hill."
Gary Compton v. Disney, Bruckheimer, Bay et al. Author says “Pearl Harbor” infringes on his romantic screenplay “Pearl Harbor Love.”
Linda Lukens v. Paramount Pictures et al. Series "Queen of Swords" is based on scripts by plaintiff, but were made with neither permission nor credit.
Grosso v. Miramax. Writers alleges the film "Rounders" was made from his script, but he was never paid.
Faye Kellerman v. Miramax, Universal. Bestselling author alleges "Shakespeare in Love" is based on her 1989 novel "The Quality of Mercy."
Elena Mareno v. Miramax et al. New York woman alleges "White Man's Burden" is based on her treatment and screenplay
Dr. Jai Maharaj
star...@ix.netcom.com posted:
>
> MC "Matthew Cope" <co...@ca.inter.net> <mw...@panix.com> wrote:
>>
>> "Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their
>> ideas. That practicaly never happens." --MC
> Alonzo Douglas v. Sony. Writer who submitted script
> titled "Anaconda" to Sony says the new film of that
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Apollyon
Dr. Jai Maharaj wrote:
>
> Matthew Cope has no credibility left.
>
> Jai Maharaj
> http://www.mantra.com/jai
> Om Shanti
Jay - how are you with idioms? See how you get on with this one:
Pot
Kettle
Oh, by the way, any news yet where my Dr Jai swimwear catalog is yet?
They can't all have been lost in the post.
Dr. Jai Maharaj
The Starmaker
in hit 2002 “Spider-Man” movie without credit or payment.
N. Barry Carver v. Paramount. Writer says the similarities of "Star Trek: First Contact" to the script
"A Stitch in Time," which he submitted to Paramount in 1991, are "bizarrely striking."
Mattson v. Protosevich, New Line. Writer says his idea and screenplay
for a movie about a female therapist entering the mind of a comatose patient were used to make "The Cell."
Michael Alan Eddy v. Radar Pictures, Interscope, Warner Bros., WGA.
Writer who says he was first of six to work on “The Last Samurai” claims the film’s producers
and the WGA prevented him from receiving the proper credit due to him the other early writers
for their work on the project.
Mowry v. Scott Rudin, Viacom. Writer alleges that the movie “The Truman Show”
is so similar to the screenplay he submitted to the defendants that it must have been copied.
James Bass v. Lions Gate, Mandalay, Snoop Dogg.
Music video and commercial producer says rapper and film companies based film “The Wash” on his script.
Howard, Beutler, Schlossberg-Cohen v. Danjaq et al. Baltimore scriptwriters claim
latest Bond flick copied their script "Currency of Fear." We print description of similarities in full.
Vicky Rocco v. Tamasy, Bell. Writer says her script was ripped off for the new movie, "Walking Across Egypt."
They own the judge!
Folke, Atnafu v. Paramount, Eddie Murphy. In short summary judgment order, judge rules no reasonable trier of fact could find plaintiffs' script similar to "Coming to America"; tosses case.
Ruling – Dante’s Peak
Hines, Jones v. Universal. Judges grants summary judgment for Universal finding that "Dante's Peak" bore little resemblance to plaintiffs' volcano script "Fire and Ice."
Ruling – First Time Felon
Bea v. HBO. Judge finds script "very dissimilar" to HBO movie "First Time Felon" and says Internet submission to others doesn't prove access, grants summary judgment for HBO.
"...Internet submission to others doesn't prove access"
“You have to show access, how they got the script,” said Otto L.
Haselhoff, a lawyer in Los Angeles.
Do you have to have a video tape of these guys stealing your script?
You have to prove access. How do you do that?
Do you have to get the original screenplay you gave them and check it for fingerprints, DNA?
.....
Fox will appeal $19-million verdict over alleged copying of script for “Jingle All the Way.”
...a few years later.....
Murray Hill v. Fox. Jury verdict awarding damages for alleged copying of another screenplay in film “Jingle All The Way” not supportable given ruling that original treatment for “Jingle” could not have been copied.
All you need is the right judge in your pocket! What's the going rate for a judge nowadays?
......
Sean Thompson v. Universal, NBC. Houston author says series "Mr. Rhodes" was based on his treatment and outlines for "Arthur's Court."
What the hell is a treatment?
"...this business of studios stealing scripts is, to be kind, highly
exaggerated."
"And actually, stealing scripts is a small problem"
"As far as actually stealing scripts,
it's an odd situation."
"Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
practicaly never
happens." --MC
If I said to newbies who are worried about studios stealing their ideas, that it practiacally
never happens, I'D BE FUCKIN LYING!!!! Or, I wouldn't know the what the fuck I'm talking about.
Now, If I was Murray Hill with this "Jingle All The Way" problem, I wouldn't give a fuck
what the judge or court said, ...I got my own court system they have to contend with. And
I'm the judge, jury and executioner.
MICHAEL
Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured him that either his brains -- or his
signature -- would be on the contract.
The Starmaker
Now how do You guys protect yourself?
This is all I can offer without the assistance of Luca Brasi....
http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/copyright_law/copyright_idea.htm
But who in Hollywood can possibly Not pay you, what is justly yours, if
they knew that the consequences was they would be swimming with the gefilte fishes?
Your job on this world, is to simply get the money that belongs to you, that is in
someone else's pocket, into your pocket, "by any means necessary"...
The Starmaker
cannot afford an attorney?
Or those who are too afraid to even complain for fear of never working
in this town again?
I don't get it.
A guy breaks into your house and steals your $49.00 DVD player and you
want to kill him,
...but if a guy steals millions from you, you let him walk right by you,
as he laughs in your face
singing Jingle All The Way!
Don't you get it? They feel they have a license to steal from you.
Right now, someone in Hollywood is stealing somebody's idea/script,
re-writing it to hide
their crime....it could be You they are stealing from right now....
unless you believe that practicaly never happens.
Dr. Jai Maharaj
> From: The Starmaker <star...@ix.netcom.com>
> Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2005
>
> .....and these are just the ones that were filed! What about those who
> cannot afford an attorney?
> Or those who are too afraid to even complain for fear of never working
> in this town again?
>
> I don't get it.
> A guy breaks into your house and steals your $49.00 DVD player and you
> want to kill him,
> as he laughs in your face
> singing Jingle All The Way!
>
> Don't you get it? They feel they have a license to steal from you.
>
> Right now, someone in Hollywood is stealing somebody's idea/script,
> re-writing it to hide
> their crime....it could be You they are stealing from right now....
>
> unless you believe that practicaly never happens.
>
>
>
> The Starmaker wrote:
> >
> > Man" movie without credit or payment.
> >
> > N. Barry Carver v. Paramount. Writer says the
> > similarities of "Star Trek: First Contact" to the script
> > "A Stitch in Time," which he submitted to Paramount in
> > 1991, are "bizarrely striking."
> >
> > and screenplay for a movie about a female therapist
> > entering the mind of a comatose patient were used to make
> > "The Cell."
> >
> > Bros., WGA. Writer who says he was first of six to work
> > on "The Last Samurai" claims the film's producers and the
> > WGA prevented him from receiving the proper credit due to
> > him the other early writers for their work on the
> > project.
> >
> > movie "The Truman Show" is so similar to the screenplay
> > he submitted to the defendants that it must have been
> > copied.
> >
> > video and commercial producer says rapper and film
> > companies based film "The Wash" on his script.
> >
> > Baltimore scriptwriters claim latest Bond flick copied
> > their script "Currency of Fear." We print description of
> > similarities in full.
> >
> > ripped off for the new movie, "Walking Across Egypt."
> >
> >
> > Folke, Atnafu v. Paramount, Eddie Murphy. In short
> > summary judgment order, judge rules no reasonable trier
> > of fact could find plaintiffs' script similar to "Coming
> > to America"; tosses case.
> >
> > grants summary judgment for Universal finding that
> > "Dante's Peak" bore little resemblance to plaintiffs'
> >
> > Bea v. HBO. Judge finds script "very dissimilar" to HBO
> > movie "First Time Felon" and says Internet submission to
> > others doesn't prove access, grants summary judgment for
> > HBO.
> >
> > "...Internet submission to others doesn't prove access"
> >
> > Otto L. Haselhoff, a lawyer in Los Angeles.
> >
> > your script?
> >
> > You have to prove access. How do you do that?
> >
> > Do you have to get the original screenplay you gave them
> > and check it for fingerprints, DNA?
> >
> > .....
> >
> > of script for "Jingle All the Way."
> > ...a few years later.....
> > Murray Hill v. Fox. Jury verdict awarding damages for
> > alleged copying of another screenplay in film "Jingle All
> > The Way" not supportable given ruling that original
> > treatment for "Jingle" could not have been copied.
> >
> > the going rate for a judge nowadays?
> >
> > ......
> >
> > Sean Thompson v. Universal, NBC. Houston author says
> > outlines for "Arthur's Court."
> >
> > What the hell is a treatment?
> >
> > kind, highly exaggerated."
> >
> > "And actually, stealing scripts is a small problem"
> >
> > "As far as actually stealing scripts, it's an odd
> > situation."
> >
> > ideas. That practicaly never happens."
> > stealing their ideas, that it practiacally never happens,
> > I'D BE FUCKIN LYING!!!! Or, I wouldn't know the what the
> > fuck I'm talking about.
> >
> > Now, If I was Murray Hill with this "Jingle All The Way"
> > problem, I wouldn't give a fuck what the judge or court
> > said, ...I got my own court system they have to contend
> > with. And I'm the judge, jury and executioner.
> >
> > MICHAEL
> >
> > Luca Brasi held a gun to his head, and my father assured
> > him that either his brains -- or his
> >
> > signature -- would be on the contract.
> >
> > The Starmaker
> >
> > Now how do You guys protect yourself?
> >
> > This is all I can offer without the assistance of Luca
> > Brasi....
> >
> > http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/copyright_law/copyright_idea.htm
> >
> > But who in Hollywood can possibly Not pay you, what is
> > justly yours, if they knew that the consequences was they
> > would be swimming with the gefilte fishes?
> >
> > Your job on this world, is to simply get the money that
> > belongs to you, that is in someone else's pocket, into
> > your pocket, "by any means necessary"...
The Starmaker
> .....
> Fox will appeal $19-million verdict over alleged copying of script for “Jingle All the Way.”
>
> ...a few years later.....
>
> Murray Hill v. Fox. Jury verdict awarding damages for alleged copying
> of another screenplay in film “Jingle All The Way” not supportable
> given ruling that original treatment for “Jingle” could not have been copied.
Most of you writers/actors/filmamkers simply don't have the resources to
fight the studios,
gangster lawyers and judges they have on their payroll. It's very
differcult to fight criminals who steal from you, who have created an
organized
system to deal with you. It's organized crime. They have a pattern
of stealing scripts and related crimes. They are racketeers. They are
using their religion
to clan together and commit crimes against society. They are religious
gangsters.
They are The Kosher Nostra. Also known as The Silent Syndicate.
The Starmaker
The Starmaker
>
> What really bothers me, is those those those MWS/MWSM people
> who constantly tell newbies things like:
>
> "...this business of studios stealing scripts is, to be kind, highly
> exaggerated."
>
> "And actually, stealing scripts is a small problem"
>
> "As far as actually stealing scripts,
> it's an odd situation."
>
> "Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
> practicaly never
> happens." --MC
"highly exaggerated."
"is a small problem"
"an odd situation"
"practicaly never happens"
The truth is, if you ask any Entertainment Lawyer, it happens *often*.
The Starmaker
The Starmaker
""Raiders of the Lost Ark"????? Noooooo waayyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Is *everything* I see on the screen stolen?
So when I go to a movie, and it says "written by....", am I suppose to
believe it?
Zambito v. Paramount Pictures
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
613 F. Supp. 1107
July 22, 1985
This is an action for copyright infringement under Title 17 of the
United States Code. Plaintiff Zambito, an archaeologist-screenwriter,
asserts that defendants' movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" ("Raiders"),
infringes copyrightable material contained in his screenplay, "Black
Rainbow" ("Rainbow"). Both sides have moved for summary judgment on the
issue of substantial similarity. For the reasons set forth below,
defendants' motion for summary judgment is granted and plaintiff's
motion is denied.
I cannot believe I'm paying for stolen goods! Isn't it illegal to buy
something that which
you have knowledge of that is stolen?
Can you watch a movie with the knowledge that everyone in it is getting
ripped off one way or another?
The Starmaker
In LA, they have guys who steal cars, take out the parts, and sell it to
others, who in turn sell it to others.
Hollywood movies and the Car Thief industry are both the same.
When I see Hollywood complaing about movie piracy, they claim it's
"copyright infringememnt", I say "WHAT!?!?"
The Starmaker wrote:
>
> The Starmaker wrote:
>
> >
> > .....
> > Fox will appeal $19-million verdict over alleged copying of script for “Jingle All the Way.”
> >
> > ...a few years later.....
> >
> > Murray Hill v. Fox. Jury verdict awarding damages for alleged copying of another screenplay in film “Jingle All The Way” not supportable >given ruling that original treatment for “Jingle” could not have been copied.
>
> Jingle All The Way.....The Full Story:
> http://www.nixonpeabody.com/copyright_article.asp?ID=30&PubType=C
The Starmaker
Now, I found out, it happens on a daily basis.
Quotes from a screenwriter:
"Unfortunately, this happens on a daily basis in Hollywood, New York,
and elsewhere."
"In Hollywood, at least, many producers will even steal completed
screenplays, or rough approximations, and go into production. This
happens much more frequently than you can imagine. They assume that
the offended party cannot afford a lengthly court battle (typically
lasting 5, 10, or more years) and will eventually go away. Also, most
producers today ask you to sign a comprehensive release removing them
from all responsibility if they steal your script. If you signed such
a release, you're out of luck. In addition, the producer will likely
claim that he had come up with the idea independently and had someone
working on a script at that very moment. Hard to disprove."
Dr. Jai Maharaj
star...@ix.netcom.com posted:
>
> The Starmaker wrote:
> >
> > The Starmaker wrote:
> > >
> > > What really bothers me, is those those those MWS/MWSM people
> > > who constantly tell newbies things like:
> > >
> > > "...this business of studios stealing scripts is, to be kind, highly
> > > exaggerated."
> > >
> > > "And actually, stealing scripts is a small problem"
> > >
> > > "As far as actually stealing scripts,
> > > it's an odd situation."
> > >
> > > "Most newbies are worried about studios stealing their ideas. That
> > > practicaly never
> >
> > "highly exaggerated."
> > "is a small problem"
> > "an odd situation"
> > "practicaly never happens"
> >
> > The truth is, if you ask any Entertainment Lawyer, it happens *often*.
> >
> > The Starmaker
>
> Now, I found out, it happens on a daily basis.
>
> Quotes from a screenwriter:
>
> "Unfortunately, this happens on a daily basis in Hollywood, New York,
> and elsewhere."
>
>
> "In Hollywood, at least, many producers will even steal completed
> screenplays, or rough approximations, and go into production. This
> happens much more frequently than you can imagine. They assume that
> the offended party cannot afford a lengthly court battle (typically
> lasting 5, 10, or more years) and will eventually go away. Also, most
> producers today ask you to sign a comprehensive release removing them
> from all responsibility if they steal your script. If you signed such
> a release, you're out of luck. In addition, the producer will likely
> claim that he had come up with the idea independently and had someone
> working on a script at that very moment. Hard to disprove."
It happens in Hollywood, Mollywood and every 'wood.
The Starmaker
who asserted that the movie, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" ("Raiders"),
infringes copyrightable material contained in his screenplay, "Black
"Black Rainbow", ..can the studios sue him for making a comic book
that is "substantial similarity" to their film "Raiders of the Lost
Ark",
even though they stole the script from him?
There is too much confusion in this world!
The Starmaker
touted as “American Idol meets The World of Boxing,” was knocked out of
his grasp by industry heavyweights and presented to television audiences
as “The Contender.”
TJ Johnson v. MGM. Writer believes that “Barbershop” infringes on his
original story about a Southside Chicago Barbershop. New Filing CD
California.
Bethea v. Burnett. Would-be reality show producer says “The Apprentice”
was copied from his proposal for a series called “C.E.O.” starring
Donald Trump.
Dr. Jai Maharaj
star...@ix.netcom.com posted:
Have you ever wondered why they've made it
very difficult to copyright ideas? (It is
possible, gowever.)
The Starmaker
> They assume that
> the offended party cannot afford a lengthly court battle (typically
> lasting 5, 10, or more years) and will eventually go away.
I believe the studios have a word for this,
"passive agressive robbery".
The Starmaker
Wed Aug 10 2005 08:28:42 ET
**Exclusive**
A lawsuit to be filed in Federal Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday
claims AMERICAN IDOL star Simon Cowell and ABC Television Network
conspired to steal the trademarked brand “Million Dollar Idea”, copy the
entire premise of a show already airing in national syndication on over
125 television stations, and market that idea as their own.
The DRUDGE REPORT has learned, the federal case is being brought by
original “Million Dollar Idea” creators/hosts Jean Golden and Todd
Walker. It is a direct response to ABC’s July 13, 2005 announcement of a
new show of the same name, “created” by Cowell and “packaged” by CAA.
“From stem to stern, each and every detail of Simon Cowell and ABC’s
mock ‘Million Dollar Idea’ is a patent rip-off of Todd and Jean’s
four-year labor of love,” said attorney Pierce O'Donnell.
ABC did not return calls for comment early Wednesday.
The lawsuit calls for immediate injunctive relief and unspecified
damages.
“It is incredibly ironic that our show, the premise of which is to
promote, protect and reward small-town American ingenuity, was itself
the victim of corporate theft and greed,” said Jean Golden, co-creator
of Million Dollar Idea. “What has happened to us is every
inventor/entrepreneur’s worst nightmare: having your idea stolen. The
arrogance of Simon Cowell and ABC is beyond comprehension. Can you
imagine stealing an idea and not even bothering to change the name of
it?”
“We are outraged that Simon Cowell, and ABC Network think that they are
above the law,” said Todd Walker. “We were taken aback to see our brand
so brazenly stolen by corporate giants.”
Developing...
The Starmaker
you lie down with dogs, you wake up with flies.
Anybody know if Simon is Jewish or not? I was surpised to
discover Paula Abdul is Jewish. She doesn't look Jewish, or does she?
Moving Vision
<star...@ix.netcom.com> writes
>You see what happens to guys like Simon,
>you lie down with dogs, you wake up with flies.
>
>Anybody know if Simon is Jewish or not? I was surpised to
>discover Paula Abdul is Jewish. She doesn't look Jewish, or does she?
>
There comes a point when even flea ridden dogs reveal their authority
over mere wankers.
The Halamossad Aviv
Special Services Agency
The Starmaker
Warner Bros. The sci-fi film “The Island” is a clone of a 1978 film, “Parts: The Clonus Horror,” suit charges.
Kourtises v. Cameron. Couple who claim “Terminator II: Judgment Day” infringed
on their treatment and script, “The Minotaur,” are not estopped by earlier unsuccessful litigation brought by screenwriter they hired.
Spinner v. ABC. Writer says he hasn’t been paid his fee for writing the original script for the series “Lost.” New Filing LA Superior.
He hasn't been paid? I don't get it, why not?
Richert v. Writers Guild of America West.
Proposed class action suit alleges guild has been wrongly collecting money for non-members from overseas sources. New Filing LA Superior.
I don't get this. WGA collecting money from non-members? How does that work?
Price, Thomas v. Fox Entertainment Group. Screenwriters claim that the
2004 movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” was copied from their screenplay “Dodgeball: The Movie.”
What does "copied" mean?
Dentist, TV producer and former “Joe” v. NBC Universal.
Trio believe the ideas they pitched were used to create “Average Joe: The Joes Strike Back” without their permission.
You guys are still pitching to these people? You guys never learn do you?
You guys have no idea what is behind the face of the person you're pitching to.
You cannot trust these people.
They didn't kill 6 million of them just because they didn't like the size of their noses,
or they didn't like their religion. They did it because they believed that they were vampires.
Vampire: definition
A person who preys upon others.
Prey: definition
An animal hunted or caught for food.
bleed, bully, burden, consume, depredate, devour, distress,
eat, exploit, feed on, fleece, haunt, hunt, intimidate, live off, load, oppress, plunder, raid, seize, tax, terrorize, trouble, victimize...
What is behind that face is what a cat sees when he looks at a mouse.
Next time you pitch to them, look hard at their eyes...you'll see something very scary....it's a cat.
Have you ever seen a cat eating a mouse?
I had a bird cage full of finches. The cat ate them all.
Mice and finches know how dangerous a cat can be.
And these people who are suing studios and networks and the individuals running them *know*
what is behind that face. It's not something you want to see.
The Starmaker
>
> Spinner v. ABC. Writer says he hasn’t been paid his fee for writing the original script for the series “Lost.” New Filing LA Superior.
I don't understand.
I don't see any "Spinner" name on the "Lost" credits.
Most probably, he's not Jewish. And paying him would mean
adding him to WGA, which would polute it. Plus, these guys prefer to stick to
their own kind. Most likely they stole the script from Spinner and why should
they pay for something they stole?
So who is J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindel and Jeffrey Lieber? Are they the gonifs?
Why is Spinner suing ABC? How much you want to bet that he didn't create the lead
character "The Jewish Doctor" who plays the goodie two shoes (positive stereotype) guy
while everybody else is totally fucked up, (negative stereotypes) on the island?
Abrams, Lindelof and Lieber have to be frauds. How could they sleep at night? Don't these
people have any morals? Someone call the police and arrest these people! Why do you people feel
the need to "look the other way"?
Spinner is doing the wrong thing by suing ABC. The right thing is to take a gun
and put it on the heads of these people and say "Either you give me my fuckin money or
you're going to have a very unpleasant day."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/fullcredits
Writing credits
J.J. Abrams (creator) &
Damon Lindelof (creator) &
Jeffrey Lieber (creator)
Jeffrey Lieber (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story and
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story and
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") teleplay &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") teleplay
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.02 "Pilot: Part 2") story &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.02 "Pilot: Part 2") story &
Jeffrey Lieber (episode 1.02 "Pilot: Part 2") story and
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.02 "Pilot: Part 2") teleplay &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.02 "Pilot: Part 2") teleplay
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.03 "Tabula Rasa")
David Fury (writer) (episode 1.04 "Walkabout")
Christian Taylor (writer) (episode 1.05 "White Rabbit")
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer) (episode 1.06 "House of the Rising Sun")
Jennifer Johnson (writer) (episode 1.07 "Moth, The") &
Paul Dini (writer) (episode 1.07 "Moth, The")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.08 "Confidence Man")
David Fury (writer) (episode 1.09 "Solitary")
Lynne E. Litt (writer) (episode 1.10 "Raised by Another")
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer) (episode 1.11 "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.12 "Whatever the Case May Be") &
Jennifer Johnson (writer) (episode 1.12 "Whatever the Case May Be")
Carlton Cuse (writer) (episode 1.13 "Hearts and Minds") &
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer) (episode 1.13 "Hearts and Minds")
David Fury (writer) (episode 1.14 "Special")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.15 "Homecoming")
Drew Goddard (writer) (episode 1.16 "Outlaws")
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer) (episode 1.17 "... In Translation") &
Leonard Dick (writer) (episode 1.17 "... In Translation")
David Fury (writer) (episode 1.18 "Numbers") &
Brent Fletcher (writer) (episode 1.18 "Numbers")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.19 "Deux Ex Machina") &
Carlton Cuse (writer) (episode 1.19 "Deux Ex Machina")
Janet Tamaro (writer) (episode 1.20 "Do No Harm")
Leonard Dick (writer) (episode 1.21 "Greater Good, The")
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (episode 1.22 "Born to Run") story and
Edward Kitsis (episode 1.22 "Born to Run") teleplay &
Adam Horowitz (episode 1.22 "Born to Run") teleplay
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.23 "Exodus: Part 1") &
Carlton Cuse (writer) (episode 1.23 "Exodus: Part 1")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 1.24 "Exodus: Part 2") &
Carlton Cuse (writer) (episode 1.24 "Exodus: Part 2")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 2.01 "Man of Science, Man of Faith")
Leonard Dick (writer) (episode 2.02 "Adrift") &
Steven Maeda (writer) (episode 2.02 "Adrift")
Javier Grillo-Marxuach (writer) (episode 2.03 "Orientation") &
Craig Wright (writer) (episode 2.03 "Orientation")
Edward Kitsis (writer) (episode 2.04 "Everybody Hates Hugo") &
Adam Horowitz (writer) (episode 2.04 "Everybody Hates Hugo")
Damon Lindelof (writer) (episode 2.05 "... and Found") &
Carlton Cuse (writer) (episode 2.05 "... and Found")
Liz Sarnoff (writer) (episode 2.06 "Abandoned") (as Elizabeth Sarnoff)
Carlton Cuse writer (episode 2.07 "The Other 48 Days")
Damon Lindelof writer (episode 2.07 The Other 48 Days)
The Starmaker
The Starmaker
Anthony Spinner
v.
American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.; Touchstone Television Productions, LLC
Writer says he hasn’t been paid his fee for writing the original script for the series “Lost.” New Filing LA Superior.
New Filing /September 2005
This guy Anthony Spinner has to be real naieve. Doesn't he know the guys he is
going against, *own* the judges, lawyers including the lawyer he hires? They are just
going to empty his pocket, then when they know he is cleaned out, ask him for more
money and then dump him.
These people in Hollywood
wake up each day
have an onion bagel and a cup of coffee
and decide who to steal from next...
"Writer says he hasn’t been paid his fee for writing the original script for the series “Lost."
What does "writing the original script" mean?
and
What does "(creator)" mean?
Writing credits
J.J. Abrams (creator) &
Damon Lindelof (creator) &
Jeffrey Lieber (creator)
Jeffrey Lieber (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story and
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") story and
J.J. Abrams (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") teleplay &
Damon Lindelof (episode 1.01 "Pilot: Part 1") teleplay
Where does Anthony Spinner fit in? Is he the real creator, did he write the Pilot, or
did they [J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber] just ripped off
Anthony Spinner original work and made it their own?
Doesn't anybody know?
How come I'm the only one that asks these questions?
(I must be missing the fear gene)
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=fear+gene&btnG=Search+News
The Starmaker
The Starmaker
"Alleging fraud and breach of contract, scribe Anthony Spinner is suing ABC
and producers of the Emmy-nominated adventure drama for the alleged theft of a 1977 series proposal.."
"At the time Spinner says he came up with his Lost, writer-producer J.J. Abrams was about 11.
Twenty-seven years later, Abrams and Damon Lindelof saw ABC launch their Lost,
a series about stranded plane crash survivors who encounter the aforementioned polar bear,
the mysterious "Others" and various strange and dangerous characters and creatures."
I don't get the above paragraph. Is he saying 3 little Jewish kids stole his idea?
Doesn't this Spinner guy know, all these Jewish little kids all want to grow up
to be a Bugsy Seigel! That's their hero, a Jewish gangster.
The Starmaker
What Hollywood has a pattern of doing is, steal your ideas, script, treatments and put it
into a safe or file cabinet and wait ten years to use it on their own. Like a gift
for their children. If they steal ten scripts, and each is worth a million. That's ten million
put away for a rainy day. A hundred scripts is a hundred million.
Somewhere, in Hollywood, somebody is taking your work and saving it for their children.
If you see a Jewish kid in Hollywood, and he is around 11 years old, ask him,
"Do you got any ideas for a film?"
You might be surprised by his response.
The Starmaker
Right now there are a bunch of children in Hollywood ages between 7-12 that are
being taught How To Be A Gonif. It could be some producers child, some agents child,
some CEO child, some Greenlight guy child, it's "Children of The Damn".
If you go to a Hollywood party, and if you see one of those "Children of The Damn",
just try to think of a brick wall....
Pinch him in the face and tell him, "You're suchs a little devil, you are going to
grow up and be just like your father!" Then step on his toe by accident, or drop a bottle
on his head, ....
you'll be glad you did!
The Starmaker
Think of a brick wall...
The Starmaker
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0818961/#writer
He looks a little too old to be putting guns in people's heads.
J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber are just one of the many
bunch of Jewish Gangsters that go around stealing other people's work
and....what more can I say, they're gonifs...in Hollywood, you get a medal for that!
I'm pretty sure their parents, wifes and children, family and friends are very proud
of them now.
I got a good idea, why don't one of yous screenplay newbies
pitch an idea to one of the creators of ABC "Lost", like
Damon Lindelof. I'm sure he is going to be open to new ideas.
He's a producer. He's moving up in the world...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0511541/
or how about his partner in crime J.J. Abrams?
They grew up in show business. They know the works.
How about J.J. Abrams father, where he learned everything from?
Would you be willing to pitch to him?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009181/
It's a nightmare isn't it.
The Starmaker
I'm pretty sure J.J. Abrams is going to be spending Thanksgonif, I mean Thanksgiving
with his father Gerald Abrams, and his father will be saying to everyone,
"My son, the creator of "Lost"...."
you know how those family gatherings are like in those houses, in Hollywood, it's more
like a industry gathering.....
I bet that Spinner is cursing in the dark somewhere....
Did they steal the polar bear idea too?
The Starmaker
was he was hired to produce and direct the programme
"Lost", but he was
hired by Sid and Marty Krofft Productions
(any company with a name like Sid and Marty is a warning sign!)
to write it, and
Anthony Spinner says he has a signed contract
which promised him creator and writer credits, royalties and a percentage of profits.
So what happen?
Instead, some guy/guys named
J.J. Abrams
Damon Lindelof
Jeffrey Lieber
are getting the credits of creator, writing and the money!
So what does that mean?
I know Hollywood is full of thieves. But I'm trying to
figure out is Why?
Is it a just a normal way of doing business for them?
Does it have anything to do with their religion or race?
Is there some kind of rule like take from the old and give to the young?
I heard in Alaska they take the old people and put them in a boat....
I don't know what's going on with these people...
But, somehow...they wake up in the morning, and contracts are meaningless.
Do they say to themselves, "I don't feel like honoring my contract with
Anthony Spinner. I'm just going to take the script and give it to somebody
else to get the credit and the money. Fuck Anthony Spinner."
Is that how it works? Because it sure looks it to me!
But what about J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber?
How do you convince those three to go along with it?
Is everyone brought up to be a gonif in Hollywood?
Looks to me. There is no end to it.
If Michael Jackson was reading my post, what would he say?
I can tell you what he most likely would say since he has to
deal with them all the time...
"They suck, They’re like leeches . . . I’m so tired of it . . . . They do it on purpose."
I guess you can say, Anthony Spinner is tired of it, because he knows that they leech from him, and
they did it on purpose.
The Starmaker
"The Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday demanded an apology
from Michael Jackson after ABC aired what was said to be a telephone
answering-machine message in which the pop star referred to Jews as "leeches"
I don't think Michael Jackson should apologies for anything.
He needs someone to advise him, and tell ADL director Abraham H. Foxman and the ADL (The Anti-Defamation League)
"To go fuck themselves!"
Michael Jackson should get a news conference and then say,
"Abraham H. Foxman and the ADL can go fuck themselves!)
That's all, it's not that hard. Most people in the world would be behind him 100 percent.
And what kind of name is "Foxman"? Did he made that one up himself? Is that a stage name?
The guy thinks he's a Fox!
He thinks he's a very clever person or a very young pretty woman/man.