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90 Copyright Claims: How The Island Was Accused of Copying Clonus Scene by Scene

by Play A Sci FiUncategorized May 26, 2025May 26, 2025No Comments

In 2005, DreamWorks released The Island, a glossy sci-fi thriller that quickly came under fire from the creators of a lesser-known 1979 indie film, Parts: The Clonus Horror. The Clonus team filed a copyright lawsuit outlining 90 specific claims of similarity between the two films — not just similar themes, but repeated story mechanics, visual …

The Knockoff That Could’ve Rewritten Sci-Fi History?

by Play A Sci FiMovies May 16, 2025May 16, 2025No Comments

In 1999, The Matrix reshaped sci-fi forever. But behind the bullet-time and trench coats, an unknown author triggered a real-world glitch—by suing the people behind The Matrix and The Terminator for billions. Her claim? That her 1983 manuscript, The Third Eye, was the uncredited blueprint for both franchises. Let’s break down what she alleged… and …

Did The Terminator Rip Off The Outer Limits?

by Play A Sci FiMovies May 12, 2025May 13, 2025Comments are Disabled

In 1984, The Terminator exploded onto movie screens and changed sci-fi forever. But just as quickly as James Cameron’s cyborg assassin began its box office rampage, a bombshell dropped from the world of television: legendary sci-fi writer Harlan Ellison accused Cameron of ripping off one of his Outer Limits episodes. According to Ellison, The Terminator …

The Lawsuit That Tried to Exorcise a Knockoff: Beyond the Door vs. The Exorcist

by Play A Sci FiMovies April 23, 2025April 27, 2025Comments are Disabled

When The Exorcist hit theaters in 1973, it was more than a horror film—it was a cultural event. People fainted. They vomited. Some ran straight to their churches. The fear was that real. Even today, many people refuse to watch it. And if you’re reading this, odds are you know someone who still won’t. So …

The True Story Behind Heat: Neil McCauley vs. Hollywood

by Play A Sci FiMovies April 10, 2025April 10, 2025Comments are Disabled

Michael Mann’s Heat is celebrated as one of the most intense heist films ever made, largely due to its exploration of the cat-and-mouse dynamic between Detective Vincent Hanna and the criminal mastermind Neil McCauley. While the movie presents a polished, dramatic account of McCauley’s life, the real story behind the man is far grittier and …

The Legal Battle Between MXC and Wipeout: A Case of Copycat or Common Ground?

by Play A Sci FiSeries March 21, 2025March 21, 2025Comments are Disabled

The world of obstacle course game shows has seen its fair share of quirky challenges and high-flying stunts, but one of the most notable legal disputes in this genre came between MXC (a Japanese game show known for its outrageous challenges) and Wipeout, an American hit game show that launched on ABC in 2008. Allegations …

How Warner Brothers Tried to Sue a TV Superhero Out of Existence

by Play A Sci FiSeries March 16, 2025March 16, 2025Comments are Disabled

In 1981, ABC introduced audiences to a bumbling superhero named Ralph Hinkley in The Greatest American Hero. Viewers loved it. Warner Brothers didn’t. Just 48 hours before the show’s premiere, Warner Bros. sued ABC, claiming the show was a blatant ripoff of Superman. But was it? Let’s break down the allegations with a side-by-side comparison. …

Uncovering the 34 Allegations: Did Battlestar Galactica Really Rip Off Star Wars?

by Play A Sci FiLists February 15, 2025February 15, 2025Comments are Disabled

In 1978, Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm sued MCA, alleging that Battlestar Galactica wasn’t just inspired by Star Wars—it was outright stealing from it. Many fans know the 13 examples of alleged copying commonly cited online, but the real court documents revealed a total of 34 separate claims. Below is a comprehensive look at those …

The Story of Great White vs. Jaws: Was It Theft or Inspiration?

by Play A Sci FiMovies January 21, 2025January 21, 2025Comments are Disabled

When the shark thriller Great White swam into theaters, Universal Pictures made waves by taking the filmmakers to court, alleging that the movie was a shameless ripoff of their 1975 blockbuster Jaws. The case unfolded with claims of theft, imitation, and undeniable similarities. But was it really outright plagiarism? Let’s dive into the details of …

Nosferatu… Horror’s Most Influential Rip-off

by Play A Sci FiMovies December 5, 2024December 5, 2024Comments are Disabled

The Birth of a Forbidden Film In the shadowy landscape of early 20th-century cinema, a daring creation emerged that would challenge copyright laws and redefine the vampire genre. Nosferatu, released in 1922, was born from a perfect storm of artistic ambition, post-war mysticism, and unauthorized creativity. The story begins in the aftermath of World War …