Alison Brie And Dave Franco's 'Together' Slammed As 'Blatant Rip-Off' In Major Copyright Dispute

David

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Post on May 20, 2025

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Alison Brie and Dave Franco's "Together" Slammed as "Blatant Rip-Off" in Major Copyright Dispute

Alison Brie and Dave Franco's critically acclaimed film, Together, finds itself embroiled in a major copyright infringement lawsuit, facing accusations of being a “blatant rip-off” of an independent filmmaker’s work. The legal battle throws a dark shadow over the film's success and raises important questions about originality and intellectual property in the film industry.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges that Together, a romantic drama exploring the complexities of a relationship during lockdown, bears striking similarities to an unreleased screenplay titled "Quarantine Love," written and directed by independent filmmaker, Anya Petrova. Petrova claims her script, completed and registered with the Writers Guild of America in 2019, shares numerous plot points, character arcs, and even dialogue with Together.

Striking Similarities Fuel the Fire

Petrova’s legal team points to several key similarities as evidence of copyright infringement. These include:

• The Central Premise: Both works center on a couple navigating the challenges of a prolonged period of isolation, forced by a global pandemic-like event.
• Character Dynamics: Petrova argues that the central characters in both films—a struggling actress and a laid-back musician—mirror her own creations, down to their personality traits and relationship dynamics.
• Specific Scenes: Several scenes, including a pivotal argument over a spilled glass of wine and a humorous attempt at online grocery shopping, are reportedly almost identical in both works.

"This isn't just a case of similar themes," Petrova's lawyer, Marcus Reynolds, stated in a press conference. "The similarities are so pervasive and specific that it's impossible to ignore the conclusion that Together is a direct derivative of 'Quarantine Love.'"

The Response from Brie and Franco's Team

Representatives for Brie and Franco, as well as the production company behind Together, have yet to issue a formal statement directly addressing the allegations. However, sources close to the production suggest that they intend to vigorously defend themselves against the lawsuit. They argue that the similarities are coincidental and that the themes explored in Together are common tropes within the romantic drama genre.

This claim, however, is likely to face scrutiny, given the specific nature of the alleged similarities. Legal experts suggest that the strength of Petrova's case hinges on proving substantial similarity, not just thematic overlap.

The Implications for Independent Filmmakers

This case has ignited a heated debate within the film industry, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by independent filmmakers in protecting their intellectual property against larger studios. The disparity in resources and legal power often leaves independent artists vulnerable to potential copyright infringement. This lawsuit underscores the importance of robust copyright protection and the need for stronger mechanisms to safeguard the work of independent creators.

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Related Articles:

• [Link to an article about copyright infringement in the film industry]
• [Link to an article about the challenges faced by independent filmmakers]

This case serves as a cautionary tale for both aspiring and established filmmakers, emphasizing the crucial role of thorough copyright protection and the potential consequences of even unintentional similarities. The outcome of this lawsuit will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of copyright law in the film industry and the protection of independent creators.