Dan Ackerman, Gizmodo’s editor-in-chief, has filed a lawsuit against Apple and the Tetris Company, claiming that the Apple TV+ film “Tetris” plagiarized his book “The Tetris Effect.” The book, a Cold War-era thriller that recounts the history of the game, was allegedly copied without his consent. Ackerman alleges that he sent a pre-publication copy to the Tetris Company and its CEO, Maya Rogers, in 2016, only to later receive a strongly-worded letter demanding that he stop pursuing film and TV adaptations.
In the legal complaint, Ackerman accuses Rogers of conspiring with screenwriter Noah Pink to create a screenplay using his book’s content. While several producers expressed interest in adapting his work, the Tetris Company refused to grant the IP license for the project. Ackerman contends that this refusal was part of a deliberate strategy by Rogers and the Tetris Company to launch their own project based on his work without paying him. He perceives this not just as a defense of their IP but as an economic assault on his livelihood.
The lawsuit details numerous “glaring similarities” between Ackerman’s book and the film, including specific scenes that closely mirror his depictions. However, since the events described are grounded in real-life occurrences, it is unclear whether the court will side with him. Ackerman is seeking damages equal to 6 percent of the film’s $80 million production budget, including actual, compensatory, and punitive damages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: plagiarism
Who has filed the lawsuit against Apple TV+ and the Tetris Company?
Dan Ackerman, the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo, has filed the lawsuit, alleging that the Apple TV+ film “Tetris” plagiarized his book “The Tetris Effect.”
What is the book that is claimed to have been plagiarized?
The book that is claimed to have been plagiarized is “The Tetris Effect,” written by Dan Ackerman. It tells the history of the Tetris game as a Cold War-era thriller.
How is the CEO of the Tetris Company, Maya Rogers, involved in the lawsuit?
Maya Rogers, the CEO of the Tetris Company, is accused of working with screenwriter Noah Pink to develop a screenplay using content taken from Dan Ackerman’s book without his consent.
What similarities are alleged between the “Tetris” film and Dan Ackerman’s book?
The lawsuit lists numerous “glaring similarities” between the book and the film, including specific scenes that closely mirror Ackerman’s depictions. However, the events are based on real-life scenarios, so it’s uncertain if the court will agree.
What damages is Dan Ackerman seeking in the lawsuit?
Dan Ackerman is seeking actual, compensatory, and punitive damages equivalent to 6 percent of the film’s $80 million production budget.
Why did the Tetris Company refuse to license its IP for Ackerman’s project?
The lawsuit alleges that the refusal was done at the direction of CEO Maya Rogers so that she and the Tetris Company could pursue their own project based on Ackerman’s book without compensating him. Ackerman sees this as an “economic attack” on his business.
5 comments
These lawsuits can be so complicated. How can they really prove if its plagiarism or just coincidence??
Is it just me, or does this happen all the time now? Seems like every other week, theres a new plagiarism case!
Just saw the movie. They better sort this out quick. Don’t want another legal drama in the entertainment world.
Ackerman’s book is actually really good. I hope he gets what he’s asking for if the allegations are true.
i read the book, didn’t see the movie yet, is it any good? Also, 6% of 80 million, that’s a huge sum.