Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Summit Entertainment, Lions Gate Sued by 'Twilight' Parodists for $500 Million
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: June 7, 2013
Key Contacts
Back
Summit Entertainment and Lions Gate sued by Between the Lines Productions, the popular producers of several “Twilight” parodies over accusations that the makers of the teen franchise derailed the release of another parody film.
In a 219-page document filed with the court, Between the Lines argues that it was engaged in talks with several movie distributors about the release of another parody film “Twiharder.” However, Lions Gate’s Summit Entertainment sent a cease-and-desist letter accusing the parody producer of entertainment law violations, including copyright and trademark infringement.
In court documents, Between the Lines argues that, as a result of the cease-and-desist letter – which it says is unjustified – the distributors revoked their offers to work with the company.
“The ‘Twiharder’ film commits wholesale trademark and copyright infringement,” Summit wrote in an email to Between the Lines Productions after a private screening of the parody film, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Not only does the film use the confusingly similar trademark ‘Twiharder,’ it also uses an identical font style, color, artwork and graphics contained in (original ‘Twilight’) films, DVDs and merchandise, the same storyline verbatim and dialogue, similar costumes and character names, and myriad scenic, visual, and musical references to the films.”
The company says Lions Gate is attempting to hold a monopoly over the Twilight sagas by blocking other legitimate producers from creating new works based on the series, and that Between the Lines should be permitted to release the movie under the “fair use” doctrine. The law protects independent filmmakers, parodists, and other artists, and enables the production of films and other “separate or derivative works that may be related to, inspired by or comment upon the pop culture events that dominate the national Cineplex,” the Times reports.
In its lawsuit, Between the Lines Productions accuses Lions Gate and Summit of violating federal intellectual property and anti-trust laws, and is suing the entertainment behemoths for $500 million in damages.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, New York City, Little Falls, NJ
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
Author: Dan Brecher
How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025
Ongoing economic uncertainty is forcing many companies to make tough decisions, which includes lowering staff levels. The legal landscape on both the state and federal level also continues to evolve, especially with significant changes to the priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) under the Trump Administration. Terminating an employee is one of the […]
Author: Angela A. Turiano
Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know
While filing annual reports may seem like a nuisance, failing to do so can have significant ramifications. These include fines, reputational harm, and interruption of your business operations. In basic terms, “admin dissolution for annual report” means that a company is dissolved by the government. This happens because it failed to submit its annual report […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?
Antitrust laws are designed to ensure that businesses compete fairly. There are three federal antitrust laws that businesses must navigate. These include the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act. States also have their own antitrust regimes. These may vary from federal regulations. Understanding antitrust litigation helps businesses navigate these complex […]
Author: Robert E. Levy
Dissolving Your Business: Essential Legal Steps to Protect Your Interests
If you’re considering closing your business, it’s crucial to understand that simply shutting your doors does not end your legal obligations. Unless you formally dissolve your business, it continues to exist in the eyes of the law—leaving you exposed to ongoing liabilities such as taxes, compliance violations, and potential lawsuits. Dissolving a business can seem […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
The Role of Corporate Restructuring in Mergers & Acquisitions
Contrary to what many people think, corporate restructuring isn’t all doom and gloom. Revamping a company’s organizational structure, corporate hierarchy, or operations procedures can help keep your business competitive. This is particularly true during challenging times. Corporate restructuring plays a critical role in modern business strategy. It helps companies adapt quickly to market changes. Following […]
Author: Dan Brecher
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.