Paramount wins copyright lawsuit over Top Gun: Maverick
Paramount Pictures won a lawsuit claiming copyright infringement by Top Gun: Maverick, as the sequel was deemed substantially different from the original inspiring article.Summary
A US federal appeals court has ruled in favor of Paramount Pictures in a copyright lawsuit concerning “Top Gun: Maverick.” The plaintiffs, the heirs of journalist Ehud Yonay, whose 1983 article inspired the original “Top Gun,” argued that the sequel unlawfully borrowed from his work. They claimed similarities in characters, dialogue, plotlines, and themes warranted a share of the sequel’s profits. However, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals found that “Maverick” contained significant new elements, including a fresh storyline and the introduction of Maverick as a veteran training a new generation of pilots.
The court emphasized that general ideas like military competition and elite training are not copyrightable. Circuit Judge Eric Miller stated the similarities cited by the plaintiffs were too broad to qualify for copyright protection. The ruling also affirmed that Paramount was not obligated to credit Yonay in the sequel, as the original licensing agreement did not extend to subsequent films. This decision upholds a lower court’s dismissal of the case from April 2024.
“Top Gun: Maverick” achieved global success, grossing over $1.5 billion and becoming Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing film. Despite this victory, Paramount still faces a separate legal challenge from a screenwriter alleging unpaid contributions.
(Source：Daily Times - Latest Pakistan News, World, Busines)