Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick”, a blockbuster film, had another weekend at the box-office. However, the studio behind it could feel the heat after a Monday lawsuit.
Paramount Pictures is being sued by the family of the author who inspired the 1986 “Top Gun” article. They claim that Paramount Pictures failed to reacquire Ehud Yonay’s 1983 article “Top Guns.”
Shosh Yonay and Yuval Yonay are the heirs of Ehud Yonay. According to a Los Angeles federal court complaint, they claimed that they sent Paramount notice in January 2018 that would have them reclaim copyright in January 2020. “Maverick,” which began filming in May 2018, was completed in August 2018.
The Yonays claim that “Maverick,” who was allegedly finishing the production in 2019, before the transfer of copyright, did so in May 2021.
“Maverick” was originally scheduled for release in 2019, but it was delayed until the next year. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, it was rescheduled multiple times. Although it is not clear when Paramount finished the film officially, this timeline will be crucial as the copyright lawsuit unfolds.
Paramount representatives did not respond immediately to CNBC’s request.
Unspecified damages are sought, including profits from “Maverick” and to stop the studio’s distribution of the film or any sequels. According to Comscore data, the film has earned more than $546 millions worldwide since its release last month.
Marc Toberoff is an intellectual property lawyer who represents the Yonays. He specializes in entertainment and copyright litigation and has a history of representing creators and artists in copyright disputes with production firms.
