A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. Central District Court in Los Angeles has brought to light some serious allegations of copyright infringement in the entertainment industry. The screenwriter of the 1989 action film Road House, R. Lance Hill, is suing MGM Studios and its owner Amazon Studios for allegedly cloning actor’s voices using generative AI technology to finish the upcoming Road House remake. The lawsuit also alleges that Amazon Studios ignored Hill’s copyright claims and rushed production of the film, even resorting to “extreme measures”.
Hill claims that he filed a petition with the US Copyright Office in November 2021 to reclaim the rights to the screenplay on which both the original Road House and the Amazon Studios reboot are based. The rights to Road House would have belonged to Amazon Studios due to their acquisition of MGM’s film library, but Hill argues that the original deal he had with United Artists, which was later acquired by MGM Studios, was not a “work-for-hire” agreement as claimed by the studios. According to Hill, the work-for-hire clause was merely boilerplate, and he should be the rightful owner and copyright holder of the screenplay.
Amazon MGM Studios has categorically denied the allegations of using generative AI to replace or recreate actors’ voices in the Road House remake. A spokesperson for the studios stated that they had expressly instructed the filmmakers not to use AI in the movie. However, Hill’s lawsuit claims otherwise, alleging that the studios allowed the use of generative AI technology to complete production of the film during a period when Hollywood strikes had largely shut down film production.
The lawsuit is seeking a court order to block the release of the Road House remake, which is scheduled to premiere at SXSW on March 8th and stream on Prime Video on March 21st. Hill is adamant that his copyright claims have been disregarded by the studios, and he is determined to fight for his rights as the original creator of the screenplay.
This legal battle over copyright ownership and allegations of using generative AI technology in film production raises important questions about creative rights and intellectual property in the entertainment industry. As technology continues to advance, it becomes crucial for studios and filmmakers to adhere to copyright laws and respect the original creators of artistic works.
The lawsuit filed by R. Lance Hill against MGM Studios and Amazon Studios sheds light on the challenges faced by creators in protecting their intellectual property in an industry that is constantly evolving. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for copyright law and the use of AI technology in film production. It remains to be seen how the court will rule on this contentious issue, but one thing is clear: the battle for creative rights is far from over in Hollywood.
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