On August 23, 2012, California Superior Court Judge Mary Ann Murphy refused to dismiss a suit brought by The Weintstein Co., LLC against ‘Scream’ writer Kevin Williamson. In essence, the ruling resolved a dispute over whether the action was preempted by the Copyright Act, or was, in fact, a simple contract dispute. Judge Murphy held that the case could proceed as it is based in contract and The Weinstein Co.had not alleged any copyright infringement or any other acts forbidden by federal law.
In its complaint, The Weinstein Co.alleges that Williamson signed over the rights to a film project called “The Shadows” during a settlement agreement the two parties signed back in 2010 to end a production dispute on ‘Scream 4’ (a dispute which resulted in Williamson being relieved from his production duties for that film). The Weinstein Co. is now seeking a declaratory judgment stating that it owns exclusive rights to “The Shadows.”
In response, Williamson asserts that he never contractually consented to the transfer of his copyrights to “The Shadows,” making this a battle that The WeinsteinCo.cannot win. Williamson’s attorney noted, “[t]here is absolutely no evidence that Mr. Williamson ever conveyed the copyrights [to The Weinstein Co.]. This is just another instance of Weinstein’s overreaching.”
Weinstein Case Against Kevin Williamson to Proceed After Judge Overrules Dismissal