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Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:11 PM Mar 2017

Disney accused in new lawsuit of ripping off idea for 'Zootopia,' the billion-dollar Academy Award-

Source: CNBC: by Dan Mangan..3pm ET

What kind of animal would steal a movie idea about .... animals?

Walt Disney was slapped Tuesday with a lawsuit claiming it ripped off the idea for its Oscar-winning, billion-dollar-grossing animated animal flick "Zootopia" from a Hollywood veteran.

The federal suit says screenwriter and producer Gary Goldman pitched the idea for "Zootopia" which he literally had called "Zootopia" twice over the years to Disney and a film company that had a production contract with Disney.

The most recent pitch was in 2009, the suit by Goldman's Esplanade Productions claims. It alleges copyright infringement, breach of implied-in-fact contract, breach of confidence and unfair competition.

Disney eventually produced "Zootopia" for release last year.





Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/21/disney-in-new-lawsuit-is-accused-of-ripping-off-idea-for-zootopia.html



OH MY...SAY IT AIN'T SO........??????????

It says that a company like "Disney" stole an idea for a movie from someone else...but...that someone else..evidently has ..."proof" that Disney stole the idea...Now...what do you suppose is going to happen??
I have followed that company over the years...and they ain't the nicest people...They may try to get you to think they are.....but no...their history is ........they ain't............

Yes...early history, in 40s.. when Disney was in charge.....
The company did not want unions...(a number of artists quit after trying to form one)
The company did not want women to be in charge...(women almost never ..repeat never got to any higher level animation positions...
Other minorities were not given much of a chance either..
.
More info on this story from link below...Hollywood Reporter

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/disney-hit-lawsuit-claiming-zootopia-ripped-total-recall-writer-987660
22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Disney accused in new lawsuit of ripping off idea for 'Zootopia,' the billion-dollar Academy Award- (Original Post) Stuart G Mar 2017 OP
Wasn't this a recent SNL sketch? Atman Mar 2017 #1
I don't know...but it is news now..and this will end up in court.. Stuart G Mar 2017 #2
I saw this same scam years ago with Dolly Parton... Archae Mar 2017 #3
According to the second link...Hollywood Reporter... Stuart G Mar 2017 #4
The version this guy wrote sounds a bit like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" too. Archae Mar 2017 #6
Gary Goldman is not a scam artist.. Stuart G Mar 2017 #7
Yes, they do steal other peoples' ideas. mainer Mar 2017 #10
Zootopia is also a theme park just outside Seoul Sen. Walter Sobchak Mar 2017 #5
Hmm will be interesting to see what evidence he has to prove his case, if its compelling enough cstanleytech Mar 2017 #8
Suing a Hollywood studio is a scary thing mainer Mar 2017 #9
I loved Zootopia too.....and... this is not just... "any writer." He is very special.. Stuart G Mar 2017 #11
typo in you're opening comment. "He ISN'T just any writer" KittyWampus Mar 2017 #13
Thank You...change made... Stuart G Mar 2017 #14
Glad to read your comments. I hope the original artist/creator gets credit and compensation. KittyWampus Mar 2017 #15
Alas, I'm afraid Goldman will not win. mainer Mar 2017 #22
They blatantly stole Kimba, The White Lion & morphed it into The Lion King KittyWampus Mar 2017 #12
Here is a link to the 60s Japanese TV show.."Kimba, The White Lion" Stuart G Mar 2017 #16
But there are so many who are willing to tow the Disney line and defend them. KittyWampus Mar 2017 #17
Yes, of course. Many think Disney stands for something "special for children" Stuart G Mar 2017 #19
Do you remember a cartoon named Luno? I remembered it vaguely as a kid who had a pegasus statue KittyWampus Mar 2017 #20
I do not know anything about ...Luno.....not a thing. Stuart G Mar 2017 #21
Another thought on this story... Stuart G Mar 2017 #18

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
2. I don't know...but it is news now..and this will end up in court..
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:17 PM
Mar 2017

in my opinion..(I did not see the SNL sketch)

Archae

(46,260 posts)
3. I saw this same scam years ago with Dolly Parton...
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:21 PM
Mar 2017

Some guy claimed his halfassed song (it was rather terrible,) was copied by Dolly Parton for the song "Nine To Five."

Disney studios are not run by idiots, they could easily buy a story idea, and make it into a big success.

They are not going to steal some person's idea.

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
4. According to the second link...Hollywood Reporter...
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:30 PM
Mar 2017

Disney did that a number of times....check it out...

Archae

(46,260 posts)
6. The version this guy wrote sounds a bit like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" too.
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:39 PM
Mar 2017

And the picture, showing "copied art" mean nothing, without original descriptions.

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
7. Gary Goldman is not a scam artist..
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 05:45 PM
Mar 2017

He has a legitimate history in animation going back 50 years..He worked on Anastasia, An American Tail, and The Land Before Time. He was an animator at Disney before working at Sullivan Bluth Studios with Bluth. He is a writer / animator of some stature..

Hit Link to see more.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Goldman

mainer

(12,013 posts)
10. Yes, they do steal other peoples' ideas.
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 09:55 AM
Mar 2017

And you can't call the identical title, identical world, and the three-toed sloth merely coincidences.

He met with the studio, shared his sketches and his script. And years later they use many of his same ideas? That's breach of implied contract.

cstanleytech

(26,080 posts)
8. Hmm will be interesting to see what evidence he has to prove his case, if its compelling enough
Tue Mar 21, 2017, 06:29 PM
Mar 2017

then Disney will probably settle.

mainer

(12,013 posts)
9. Suing a Hollywood studio is a scary thing
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 09:53 AM
Mar 2017

No writer does it for kicks, or because he thinks he might make a quick buck. The chances are, he'll be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, and then the Ninth Circuit, as it usually does, will side with the studio. Clearly this writer believes he's been wronged, and his attorney believes it too.

This kind of theft goes on all the time in Hollywood. And the courts protect the studios almost 100% of the time.

A shame, because I loved "Zootopia."

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
11. I loved Zootopia too.....and... this is not just... "any writer." He is very special..
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 10:26 AM
Mar 2017

This writer..has been in this industry all his life..he was/is not new. He knew what was going on, so he took his ideas to Disney..and they stole them. ..(please hit my link above about this writer in post number 7)...also note that the writer/producer/ and originator...did something very special on this.... he waited...........

..........He waited...yes, he waited till the end of Zootopia's run..in the theaters, and in DVD to bring this up ..Now he could have started this much earlier, and ruined this film's run and presentation...It would have been become and known as the "stolen film"...but Goldman had too much respect for the industry to destroy this film......He waited.....

If it really is his film, and it appears to me that it is, then he wanted it to get a full presentation to all ...By waiting to sue, and make this public, he solidifies in my mind his feeling for the idea/film. If it really is your creation,,,then no matter what, you want people to see it and enjoy it..So they stole the idea and some of the characters....

The film got made, it was shown to all, it won accolades and praise..so after it wins the Academy Award, then you go after the assholes that stole the idea....Just think about that ...after.....not before...but after...why..it is not known as the stolen film..it is known as a great film, "Zootopia" that was stolen by Disney from its creator ...........

I might add this..the stealing of this film, will become one of the biggest stories in Hollywood film history..And Goldman will win, and Disney will pay. And it will get ugly..unlike anything Disney has seen in many years...Goldman knows this industry and this company..Disney..and revenge will be special, served in a way no one could know. Goldman's timing..(after the awards) and at a point that he would not "ruin" this films chances of becoming successful, only show his caring about this film and what it stands for..

..I love Zootopia, and not only that ...I am a fan of animation, going back 50 years..I would say this is one of the top 5 full length animated films ever made!!!!...yes top 5....It is beautiful in its presentation and story telling. Its simplicity is stunning and leaves the viewer with a feeling of warmth and kindness. We can argue about the ethics of the Disney company and its bosses.....but....

..... this is still a great film, and...if you haven't seen it, watch it. The one thing I can assure you is, you will enjoy and like this film. and it is ok for children and it really is fun to watch.....!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
15. Glad to read your comments. I hope the original artist/creator gets credit and compensation.
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 10:52 AM
Mar 2017

Disney will have people on social media, talk shows etc using straw men and diversion to make this seem illigetimate.

They are very good at that.

It's probably their advertising dollars that make so many willing to do their bidding when it comes to covering for their rip-offs.

mainer

(12,013 posts)
22. Alas, I'm afraid Goldman will not win.
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 12:55 PM
Mar 2017

The writer never does. He doesn't have enough money in his pocket to match the legal teams the studios can mount against him.

It's going to be just another example of how the studios own the Ninth Circuit.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
12. They blatantly stole Kimba, The White Lion & morphed it into The Lion King
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 10:39 AM
Mar 2017

Kimba, The White Lion was on in the States in mid 60's. It was one of my favorite cartoons. It was in anime style from Japan and done by Osamu Tezuka.

Disney and it's employees involved with The Lion King have lied so openly and so obviously using straw man arguments and diversion.

But the story, art and character similarities are too numerous.

There's even a story board picture from Disney showing Kimba/Simba as white.






http://www.kimbawlion.com/kimbawlion/rant2.htm

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
16. Here is a link to the 60s Japanese TV show.."Kimba, The White Lion"
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 10:58 AM
Mar 2017

please read the first few paragraphs...sure Disney stole it..(in my opinion)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimba_the_White_Lion

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
19. Yes, of course. Many think Disney stands for something "special for children"
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 11:16 AM
Mar 2017

and Disney Corp.. wants to keep it that way

.I think they settled with that parent who lost that child at one of the resorts..didn't they?...child in water eaten by alligator? remember?? taken care of pretty quick...not in the news anymore..

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
20. Do you remember a cartoon named Luno? I remembered it vaguely as a kid who had a pegasus statue
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 11:36 AM
Mar 2017

that would come to life and they'd go on adventures.

After I finally found the internet around 1995 but it took over a decade more until more information was uploaded onto the internet and into search engines. LOL!

Stuart G

(38,359 posts)
18. Another thought on this story...
Wed Mar 22, 2017, 11:10 AM
Mar 2017

This is not just some small event. This is one of the leading "entertainment corporations" in the world..Perhaps the most well known...Theme Parks, movies, music..etc.. Disney has a world wide reputation. Good for children you know...We are dealing with stealing ideas...simply "stealing" Not good for Disney but Disney in my opinion will settle..and rather quickly.

Why? When this gets into court, and it goes on and on and on..that kind of thing is not good for Disney's reputation....about caring for children.....Something about "honesty" ...stealing is not a good thing to teach children....Is it?

Goldman's proof looks quite good...He took his ideas to Disney a couple of times. There are those who know about this and participated in the earlier attempts to sell the idea
........and it won't look good in media when the case drags on and on and on and on....
..........Disney will settle relatively quick, and I think it will be a whole lot of money.

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