Paramount Pictures Countersues Writer’s Cousin in Copyright Dispute
Paramount Pictures has countersued the cousin of a writer involved with Top Gun: Maverick. The lawsuit arises from Gray’s claim of co-authorship of the screenplay, intensifying the ongoing legal dispute over alleged copyright infringement related to the film’s writing process.
In documents filed in a California federal court on Wednesday, Paramount accuses Shaun Gray of purposely concealing his contribution to critical scenes in an effort to claim ownership and accuse them of concept theft. The studio has labeled his actions as fraudulent, arguing that he is violating their copyrights.
The complaint states that, following the success of Top Gun: Maverick, Gray sought an opportunity to exploit Paramount financially.
Gray’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, contended that the studio’s counterclaims are intended to intimidate Gray from asserting his rights as a creator. He also suggested that Paramount’s allegations against Gray were an attempt to deflect blame from Eric Singer, whose earlier collaboration with the studio is in question, asserting that Gray was actually the victim in the situation. Toberoff also emphasized that the counterclaims unintentionally confirm that Gray was instrumental in writing many significant action sequences in Top Gun: Maverick.
Gray is the cousin of Singer, who was recruited by director Joseph Kosinski after their collaboration on Only the Brave. Gray has claimed that he contributed essential sequences for the film, including a dramatic opening scene where Maverick, portrayed by Tom Cruise, pushes a high-tech fighter jet beyond its limits, setting speed records before the aircraft malfunctions.
Unlike other writers on the project, Gray did not establish a work-made-for-hire agreement with Paramount, which typically assigns copyright ownership to the studio. This fact may open a pathway for him to assert joint authorship of the screenplay.
According to court documents, Paramount engaged a series of screenwriters for Top Gun: Maverick. Gray and Singer joined during the middle of the writing process after two other writers had already contributed drafts. Paramount argues that if it had known about Gray’s involvement, it might have opted for different solutions, such as preventing Singer from collaborating with Gray or discontinuing the use of Gray’s scenes entirely.
