So 7 basic plots. But an actual plot for an original story isn’t just a basic plot is it? It’s an original work.
Movies are sued all the time for copyright infringement due to substantially copying plot and character elements. [0]
Because these cases tend to each be unique, the line between infringement and non-infringement gets settled very much on a case by case basis.
As a result of this inherent unpredictability, most cases involve the accused settling with the aggrieved party to get the lawsuit dismissed.
This is common in many areas of civil law.
A few examples:
1. *"The Island" (2005)*
- Accusation: Similarities to the 1979 film "Parts: The Clonus Horror."
- Outcome: Settled out of court. [1]
2. *"Frozen" (2013)*
- Accusation: Claimed similarities to a short film named "The Snowman."
- Outcome: Disney settled the case. [2]
3. *"Coming to America" (1988)*
- Accusation: Art Buchwald claimed the movie was based on his script.
- Outcome: Paramount settled for an undisclosed amount. [3]
4. *"The Terminator" (1984)*
- Accusation: Harlan Ellison claimed it was similar to an episode of "The Outer Limits."
- Outcome: Settled out of court, and an acknowledgment was added to later copies. [4]
5. *"Disturbia" (2007)*
- Accusation: Accused of being similar to Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window."
- Outcome: Initially dismissed, but a settlement was reached. [5]
Movies are sued all the time for copyright infringement due to substantially copying plot and character elements. [0]
Because these cases tend to each be unique, the line between infringement and non-infringement gets settled very much on a case by case basis.
As a result of this inherent unpredictability, most cases involve the accused settling with the aggrieved party to get the lawsuit dismissed.
This is common in many areas of civil law.
A few examples:
1. *"The Island" (2005)* - Accusation: Similarities to the 1979 film "Parts: The Clonus Horror." - Outcome: Settled out of court. [1]
2. *"Frozen" (2013)* - Accusation: Claimed similarities to a short film named "The Snowman." - Outcome: Disney settled the case. [2]
3. *"Coming to America" (1988)* - Accusation: Art Buchwald claimed the movie was based on his script. - Outcome: Paramount settled for an undisclosed amount. [3]
4. *"The Terminator" (1984)* - Accusation: Harlan Ellison claimed it was similar to an episode of "The Outer Limits." - Outcome: Settled out of court, and an acknowledgment was added to later copies. [4]
5. *"Disturbia" (2007)* - Accusation: Accused of being similar to Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window." - Outcome: Initially dismissed, but a settlement was reached. [5]
[0] https://movieweb.com/movies-accused-of-copyright-infringemen...
[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parts:_The_Clonus_Horror
[2] https://ew.com/article/2015/06/25/disney-frozen-lawsuit-the-...
[3] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buchwald_v._Paramount
[4] https://www.cbr.com/terminator-harlan-ellison-credit/
[5] https://www.flixist.com/new-disturbia-and-rear-window-lawsui...