Judge forces Cameron to turn over Avatar scripts in lawsuit

[Seze Mune]

 "A US judge ordered director James Cameron to hand over drafts of the screenplay for Avatar to lawyers for a man claiming he wrote the script on which the 3D blockbuster was based.

"Eric Ryder is seeking compensation from Cameron and his production company Lightstorm Entertainment, claiming that the 2009 Oscar-nominated film is based on a story he wrote called "K.R.Z. 2068."

He filed a lawsuit in December 2011, saying he spent two years developing the story. Yesterday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alan Rosenfield ordered Cameron's lawyers to turn over screenplay drafts. "

Click here for the rest of the story:   James Cameron sued over Avatar screenplay

[Toruk Makto]

Is that guy still around?  I thought this wiggler's lawyers understood that 1995 predates 2007.
Oh well, it's his funeral if any of the script gets leaked. The intellectual property laws are not taken lightly.

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

Is that guy still around?  I thought this wiggle lawyers understood that 1995 predates 2007.
Oh well, it's his funeral if a y of the script gets leaked. The tellectual property laws are not taken lightly.

Whose funeral? I don't quite understand what you are saying here.
The basic story behind 'Avatar' is not novel. It has been told a lot of ways by a lot of different people.

[Seze Mune]

I'm thinking if they want the actual script, its not the underlying theme they are challenging but specific portrayals in terms of dialogue and artistic expression and screenplay.

I think Toruk Makto means that James Cameron could sue him for damages if any of the screenplay gets leaked, because he would be the most likely source.

[Seze Mune]

"...Eric Ryder used to work for Cameron's Lightstorm Entertainment Inc. production company. He filed suit against the Oscar-winning director in 2011, saying that Avatar was based on a script he had written for a film called K.R.Z. 2068.

"Ryder wants compensation, of course, and is claiming that Cameron used his ideas without permission and without giving him due credit. The director, for his part, says that he wrote Avatar five years before Ryder pitched his version to the production company.

"The fight went back to court in California this week, and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alan Rosenfield ordered Cameron to turn over the draft screenplays he wrote for his mega-successful fantasy sci-fi film, reports StarPulse. The accusers were also given access to back-up discs from computers used by Cameron, but the judge turned down a request to see screenplays for the upcoming Avatar sequels."

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/494463/james-cameron-turns-over-avatar-drafts-in-copyright-battle/#qAS6uXHKDBzEbj23.99

[Niri Te]

 He may be so tied up with lawsuits from losers with no talent, that he may not be able to hold to his hoped for release dates for the sequels. THIS is where, if these losers fail in their attempts to steal money from successful writers/producers, the slimeballs bringing these suits should be fined MILLIONS, (for lost time of the people they tried to sue), to where after 25% of their minimum wage paychecks is garnished EVERY WEEK for the REST OF THEIR MISERABLE LIVES, no one else will think of pulling such a stupid stunt.

[Toruk Makto]

It's just another shotgun suit in a parade of them. My guess is that LEI's lawyers will have this sorted fairly quickly without a lot of muss or fuss. Besides, it sound like what the plaintiff's lawyers want is essentially the scriptment for Project 880, but that has been out on the net for years, so what they're getting isn't new or exciting.

[Seze Mune]

When someone has such great success as Cameron has with Avatar, EVERYone wants a piece of the action, however they can get it.

[Tsanten Eywa 'eveng]

Kaltxì

The latest news now, is that Jim won the trial. He still own's Avatar
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/james-cameron-wins-avatar-theft-418142

[Tìtstewan]

Yeah! Great!

[Stranger Come Knocking]

Just out of curiosity, what if he'd lost?  Then what?

[Tsanten Eywa 'eveng]

Just out of curiosity, what if he'd lost?  Then what?

The screenplay would be taken from JC, and he would need to pay back a looooooot of money, and end the franchise. Who knows, maybe ended up in jail.

[Tìtstewan]

The consequences would be veeery huge.
...maybe this forum affected, too (in a manner)

I won't think about that...

[`Eylan Ayfalulukanä]

The fact that this happened this quickly tells me that the party with the claim did not have a very strong case. Hopefully, it cost them a lot of money to try this, and it will discourage others from trying to 'get rich quick'.