$17 Million Sundance Hit 'Together' Faces Copyright Lawsuit: Alison Brie And Dave Franco Involved

David

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Post on May 19, 2025

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$17 Million Sundance Hit 'Together' Faces Copyright Lawsuit: Alison Brie and Dave Franco Involved

The indie darling of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, "Together," a film boasting a $17 million acquisition deal, is now facing a significant legal hurdle: a copyright infringement lawsuit. The film, starring and produced by the high-profile couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, is accused of lifting substantial portions of its script from an earlier, unpublished screenplay. This development casts a shadow over the film's promising future and raises serious questions about the creative process and legal protections in the film industry.

The lawsuit, filed in [Court Name] on [Date], alleges that "Together" director [Director's Name] and producers Brie and Franco knowingly plagiarized significant elements of [Plaintiff's Name]'s screenplay, "[Plaintiff's Screenplay Title]". The plaintiff claims striking similarities in plot points, character development, dialogue, and overall narrative structure between the two works. Specific examples cited in the lawsuit include [mention 1-2 specific examples without revealing too much detail to avoid spoilers, e.g., "a pivotal scene involving a broken vase" or "the development of a key relationship between two characters"].

This isn't just a minor dispute; the plaintiff is seeking substantial damages, potentially impacting the film's distribution and the careers of those involved. The legal battle promises to be complex, involving detailed comparisons of the two screenplays and expert testimony on issues of originality and fair use.

The Impact on "Together's" Future

The lawsuit's timing couldn't be worse for "Together," which was riding high on the success of its Sundance premiere and lucrative acquisition deal. The controversy threatens to derail the film's marketing campaign and potentially delay or even halt its theatrical release and streaming distribution. The cloud of legal uncertainty also puts a strain on the reputations of Brie, Franco, and the director, all of whom are prominent figures in the entertainment industry.

Copyright Infringement in Film: A Growing Concern

This case highlights a growing concern within the film industry: the increasing frequency of copyright infringement lawsuits. With the proliferation of easily accessible screenwriting resources and the pressure to produce original content quickly, instances of unintentional or deliberate plagiarism are becoming more common. This situation underscores the importance of robust legal protection for screenwriters and the need for rigorous due diligence in the film development process.

• Protecting your intellectual property: Screenwriters should actively register their work with the [relevant copyright organization, e.g., the U.S. Copyright Office] to establish a clear record of ownership.
• Thorough legal review: Film production companies should invest in thorough legal review of scripts to minimize the risk of copyright infringement.
• Independent verification: Seeking independent verification of originality can help protect against accusations of plagiarism.

What Happens Next?

The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy and arduous, potentially involving expert witnesses, depositions, and potentially even a trial. The outcome will have significant implications not only for "Together" but also for the broader film industry, setting a precedent for future cases of alleged copyright infringement. We will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available. Stay tuned for further developments in this high-stakes legal battle.

Keywords: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Together, Sundance Film Festival, Copyright Infringement, Lawsuit, Plagiarism, Film Industry, Intellectual Property, Legal Battle, $17 Million Deal, Indie Film.