Disney Served with a $10 Billion Suit Over Moana 2 Copyright Issues
Legal Battle
In the entertainment industry there are few things that create more excitement than litigation involving one of the largest companies in Hollywood-Disney. In recent past, Disney has been caught at the middle of legal turmoil, reportedly now facing a $10 billion copyright infringement case concerning Moana 2. Contested by the protected control of ideas that will be utilized in the motion picture, the lawsuit has garnered much concentrate because of the measure of the claim as well as the effect it can have on future artistic works by Disney.
But what kind of claims and how might the claims impact on the Moana 2 production and its release? In this blog post, we will discuss the specifics which took place in this case, why this case was highlighted, and what it could be a sign of for Disney and other productions.
The Facts That Formulated the Lawsuit
Pacific Islanders are suing Walt Disney Co. over copyright theft and cultural references or appropriation regarding the company’s Moana franchise and its upcoming sequel Moana 2. In their suit, the plaintiffs claim that the company incorporated particular cultural references, myths, and even when the original movie drew parallels on the Polynesian culture it did so without acquiring permission or even paying the rightful owners.
While the first movie, Moana released in 2016 was hailed for its appropriate portrayal of Polynesian culture, the plaintiffs have claimed that Disney inadequately consulted the native tribes before employing them in their work and incorporating sacred emblem and mythology. They say that Disney has continued to use these elements in the *Moana sequel 2, without paying royalty to the rightful owners or consulting the indigenous people.
Relative to The Copyright Infringement Claims
The central subject matter of the lawsuit is evidently copyright violation. Copyright works to protect writers, artists, musicians and any other persons that create articles, pictures, music and many others. Accordingly, the plaintiffs state that mythology, folklore, and Polynesian practices and customs must be protected as intellectual property.
The plaintiffs claim block is based on the fact that *Moana 2* employs a number or cultural elements linked to definite Polynesian tribes and the other indigenous cultures of the Pacific area. In the lawsuit, these groups claim that those are their assets and that Disney did not ask for permission to use them and did not pay for the right to include them into the franchise.
Even more so, the plaintiffs use Disney’s past conduct which involves peddling cultural motifs that have been accused of being appropriated. Despite the increase of diversity and inclusion in the company over the past few years some believe that the company does not respect the cultures it portrays adequately.
The Stakes: $10 Billion Lawsuit
But even more attention should be paid to its scale as this factor is one of the most impressive in the given case. This $10 billion, as some may say is a boastful claim but it has to be made because the problem is enormous. The plaintiffs are not only asking for a monetary compensation, but they are also labouring for a social change in perception and reconciliation for indigenous rights they believe was violated.
Such a lawsuit with people’s image at stake can affect the entire Hollywood industry and more so if it involves a giant company in entertainment like Disney. This if the court sides with the plaintiffs could act as a reference for other successive cases in the copyright law regarding cultural identity and trademark and patent law.
The case also brings issues on how major studios should manage elements of culture and Indigenous people involvement in creation of content based on cultural assets. As entertainment keeps growing more international and multicultural, organizations, such as Disney may experience more demands in hiring cultural advocates and scholars to help in portraying such issues in a right and appropriate manner.
Effects to Upcoming Disney Projects
If the case goes up to the trial and ends up getting Disney on the wrong side of the court on the copyrights issue, then one could expect the worst to happen to the Moana 2 movie and the other Disney movies and animated features. Depending on the verdict, the studio could be ordered to pay tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, if not billions. As an effect, the economic implications of getting to be found guilty of instances of cultural stereotyping and if the accused company has been represented as ignoring these cultures then this will stunt Disney’s reputation, – The social implication that come with Disney being accused of Instances of cultural stereotyping and if the accused company has been represented as ignoring these cultures then this will stunt Disney’s reputation.
In addition, if the plaintiffs are to prevail on their allegations, it could lead to Disney putting on hold the production of Moana 2 or else alter the movie dramatically to reflect any court orders of law governing the case. The shooting of the film could be stalled, and this would mean that Disney would lose so much of its income. The case should also mark a shift for the entire industry in how studios address issues of culture with a new sensitivity towards values of indigenous and the less privileged.
Disney’s Approach
Disney however filed a reply to the lawsuit and offered to explain how it came up with the characters, and how much regard it has for other cultures. The company wants people to know that they consulted with cultural seniors and consultants when creating Moana and that they tried their best to get the culture right. But the plaintiffs responded that these measures were not enough, and that Disney did not do enough to make its portrayal culturally realistic.
Disney also pointed out that the company is genuinely liberal and has been actively working on diversity and inclusion for many years, launching numerous projects in support of cultural differences as well as offering the industry’s opportunity for minorities. Still, this lawsuit has raised more questions on whether the company is actually running its business in line with equality policy it adopts.
The wider implication of this fact on Hollywood
The decision that will be made in this case could expand the impact of it not only for Disney and Moana 2 but for other studios and even producers. This may make other motion picture firms and other entertainment industries to reorient their approach to the portrayal of cultures in their productions. With global audiences getting more sensitive to matters concerning indigenous people and issues related to Intellectual Property rights there might be pressure on entertainment firms to properly address their depiction of indigenous peoples.
This case could help develop better procedures on how cultural items used in media should be dealt with, and whether the creators were consulting with the corresponding culture and whether or not they were offering adequate pay. It may also prompt discussions on how popular culture might exist as a more sensitive ground for indigenous people’s rights regarding traditions, legends, and patents.
Conclusion: Disney’s Future and Moana 2
Looking at the fact Disney is facing this colossal $10 billion lawsuit, the existence of *Moana 2* is doubtful. However, even if Disney tries to explain for its actions and claims to be culturally sensitive, the legal wars are not yet over. In the case if the case goes to the trial then it could act as a precedent for those issues which comprise of the copyright law, appropriation of culture and the entertainment industries duty in protecting the ownership of the indigenous people.
Altogether, the title of compensation in this suit will not only impact on the financial performance of Disney, the world’s biggest entertainment Industry but it will also set a precedent on how Hollywood, as the world’s entertainment hub constructs its relation to cultural stories in future. That being the case, fans of *Moana* and the entertainment sector in general will be waiting for more developments on this highly charged up legal case.