Can a brand adapt its own story to a film when it has already been written by another? This is the thorny question that the New York court will have to answer. In question, the complaint filed by Daniel Ackerman, editor in chief of the Gizmodo media specialized in technology, against Apple and Tetris.
In fact, the journalist accuses the two companies, as well as the other interested parties, of having copied his story, taken from his book. The Tetris effect: the game that mesmerized the world (The Tetris effect: the game that hypnotized the world), without your consent. The book, published in 2016, tells over 272 pages how Alexey Pajitnov, a Soviet programmer, created one of the most iconic and addictive games in the world alone in his corner.
A true story that necessarily looks exactly like the movie. tetris, released on March 15, 2023 on AppleTV+, Apple’s streaming platform. The feature film, however, takes a different point of view by focusing on Henk Rogers, who will try to democratize the game by going to meet Alexey Pajitnov in the USSR.
damages sought
In the complaint filed with the New York court, Daniel Ackerman thus claims to have sent a copy of the book to Tetris, before its publication, which would have responded only with threats, through “a letter to cease and refrain from strong terms”. “, asking him not to attempt any film or series adaptation. The company also said it refused to license its intellectual property for projects related to his book.
David Ackerman’s lawyer, Kevin Landau, told Reuters on August 8 that the lawsuit “is about righting a wrong and ensuring respect and fairness for the labor, diligence and property of someone who is entitled to such respect.” and recognition under the law.
In fact, Daniel Ackerman believes the complaint that the film “had freely borrowed many sections and specific events from the book” and was “similar in almost every significant way” to the story.
Gizmodo’s publisher is asking the court for damages equal to at least 6% of the $80 million budget allocated to the film’s production.
Source: BFM TV
