HEMINGWAY WAS TOO DRUNK TO BE REACHED FOR COMMENT: The estate of William Faulkner has sued Sony Pictures, as distributor of Midnight In Paris, claiming that a line in the script which quotes from Faulkner (citing him), claiming that its use made viewers believe the film was authorized by the Faulkner estate. The pleading isn't there, but I'm having trouble figuring out how there's a good copyright or Lanham Act claim here. Pretty sure no viewer thought the film was approved by the Faulkner estate.
ETA: Here's the complaint, which was brought in Mississippi, rather than LA, and which is mightily barebones--29 paragraphs, and three claims--copyright infringement, Lanham Act, and right of publicity/personality.
The Faulkner estate may need a more compelling hobby.
ReplyDeleteThe Faulkner estate should have seen it at IFC Center -- fresher popcorn, real butter -- maybe it would feel better about the experience.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I can tell, the statute of limitations is not dead. It isn't even past.
ReplyDelete29 paragraphs...so it was what, 70 pages?
ReplyDelete