Prometheus Movie Sues Alien: A $250 Million Lawsuit

20th Century Fox is suing Ridley Scott's Prometheus, claiming that the film infringes on the copyright of its Alien franchise.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Tuesday, alleges that Prometheus "copied and incorporated substantial portions" of the Alien franchise, including its "iconic imagery, characters, and plot elements."

20th Century Fox is seeking at least $250 million in damages, as well as an injunction to prevent the further distribution of Prometheus.

In a statement, 20th Century Fox said that it "vigorously defends its intellectual property rights" and that it believes that Prometheus "infringes on those rights."

Prometheus Accused of Copying Alien's "Iconic Imagery"

One of the key allegations in the lawsuit is that Prometheus copied the "iconic imagery" of the Alien franchise. The lawsuit points to several specific examples, including:

• The use of a derelict spaceship, similar to the one in Alien.
• The use of a facehugger, similar to the one in Alien.
• The use of a chestburster, similar to the one in Alien.

20th Century Fox argues that these similarities are not coincidental, but rather evidence that Prometheus copied the Alien franchise.

Prometheus Accused of Copying Alien's "Characters"

The lawsuit also alleges that Prometheus copied the "characters" of the Alien franchise. The lawsuit points to several specific examples, including:

• The character of Elizabeth Shaw, who is similar to the character of Ripley in Alien.
• The character of David, who is similar to the character of Ash in Alien.
• The character of Holloway, who is similar to the character of Kane in Alien.

20th Century Fox argues that these similarities are not coincidental, but rather evidence that Prometheus copied the Alien franchise.

Prometheus Accused of Copying Alien's "Plot Elements"

The lawsuit also alleges that Prometheus copied the "plot elements" of the Alien franchise. The lawsuit points to several specific examples, including:

• The use of a group of explorers who are attacked by an alien creature.
• The use of a spaceship that is used as a setting for the alien attack.
• The use of a climax in which the survivors must escape from the alien creature.

20th Century Fox argues that these similarities are not coincidental, but rather evidence that Prometheus copied the Alien franchise.

Prometheus Director Denies Copying Alien

Ridley Scott, the director of Prometheus, has denied that the film copied the Alien franchise. In a statement, Scott said that he was "completely confident" that Prometheus "does not infringe on any copyright or trademark rights."

Scott also said that he was "disappointed" by the lawsuit, and that he believes that it is "without merit."

Legal Experts Weigh In on the Case

Legal experts are divided on the merits of the lawsuit. Some experts believe that 20th Century Fox has a strong case, while others believe that the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed.

One expert who believes that 20th Century Fox has a strong case is Jennifer E. Rothman, a professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles. Rothman said that the lawsuit "raises serious questions about whether Prometheus infringed on the copyright of the Alien franchise."

Another expert who believes that 20th Century Fox has a strong case is Peter S. Menell, a professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley. Menell said that the lawsuit "has a good chance of success."

However, other experts are more skeptical about the merits of the lawsuit. One expert who is skeptical about the lawsuit is Jane C. Ginsburg, a professor of law at Columbia University. Ginsburg said that the lawsuit "is a long shot."

Another expert who is skeptical about the lawsuit is Jessica Litman, a professor of law at the University of Michigan. Litman said that the lawsuit "is not likely to succeed."

The Future of the Lawsuit

It is unclear how the lawsuit will be resolved. The case is currently in its early stages, and it could take years to resolve.

However, the lawsuit is likely to have a significant impact on the future of both the Alien franchise and the Prometheus franchise. If 20th Century Fox wins the lawsuit, it could prevent Prometheus from being released on DVD or Blu-ray. It could also prevent Prometheus from being shown on television or streaming services.

Impact of the Lawsuit on the Alien Franchise

If 20th Century Fox wins the lawsuit, it could have a significant impact on the Alien franchise. The lawsuit could prevent 20th Century Fox from producing any future Alien films. It could also prevent 20th Century Fox from licensing the Alien franchise to other companies.

Impact of the Lawsuit on the Prometheus Franchise

If 20th Century Fox wins the lawsuit, it could have a significant impact on the Prometheus franchise. The lawsuit could prevent Ridley Scott from producing any future Prometheus films. It could also prevent 20th Century Fox from licensing the Prometheus franchise to other companies.

Conclusion

The lawsuit between 20th Century Fox and Ridley Scott is a major development in the entertainment industry. The outcome of the lawsuit could have a significant impact on both the Alien franchise and the Prometheus franchise.

Tables

| Table 1: Timeline of the Lawsuit |
|---|---|
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2012 | Prometheus is released in theaters. |
|---|---|
| June 26, 2012 | 20th Century Fox files a lawsuit against Prometheus. |
|---|---|
| July 2, 2012 | Ridley Scott files a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. |
|---|---|
| July 16, 2012 | The court denies Ridley Scott's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. |

| Table 2: Damages Sought by 20th Century Fox |
|---|---|
| Damages | Amount |
|---|---|
| Compensatory damages | $100 million |
|---|---|
| Punitive damages | $100 million |
|---|---|
| Attorney's fees | $50 million |

| Table 3: Key Allegations in the Lawsuit |
|---|---|
| Allegation | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Prometheus copied the "iconic imagery" of the Alien franchise. | Use of a derelict spaceship, facehugger, and chestburster. |
|---|---|
| Prometheus copied the "characters" of the Alien franchise. | Use of characters similar to Ripley, Ash, and Kane. |
|---|---|
| Prometheus copied the "plot elements" of the Alien franchise. | **Use of a group