Disney Wins Big: Jury Clears 'Moana' in Major Copyright Case

In a recent victory for creators and filmmakers, a federal jury in Los Angeles unanimously cleared Disney of copyright infringement allegations related to the beloved animated film, Moana. The lawsuit, filed in 2020 by screenwriter Buck Woodall, claimed that Disney's film infringed upon his 2011 screenplay, Bucky the Wave Warrior.

After a detailed two-week trial, the jury concluded that Disney did not have access to Woodall’s screenplay or earlier treatments. Deliberations lasted less than three hours, signaling clear agreement among the jurors about Disney's independent creative process.

Woodall’s lawsuit cited multiple perceived similarities between his screenplay and Disney’s 2016 film, including plot elements like teenagers defying parental orders, star-based navigation, a tattooed demigod, and surviving an oceanic storm. However, Disney's legal defense effectively highlighted key distinctions between the two stories. Among the notable differences were the protagonists' backgrounds, cultures, and motivations: Woodall’s main character was an American teen aiming to learn surfing, whereas Moana is an Oceanian future leader dedicated to reclaiming her people's seafaring heritage.

Disney expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing pride in the originality and collaborative creativity behind Moana. "We are incredibly proud of the collective work that went into the making of 'Moana' and are pleased that the jury found it had nothing to do with Plaintiff’s works," stated a Disney spokesperson.

This verdict underscores the importance of demonstrating independent creation in intellectual property litigation. Disney successfully showed that creative inspiration can lead to similar themes without constituting infringement, reaffirming that intellectual property law protects genuine innovation and creativity.

While this particular chapter has concluded favorably for Disney, a separate claim by Woodall alleging infringement by the upcoming sequel, Moana 2, remains pending.

This case serves as an important reminder for creators and businesses to maintain clear records of their creative processes and to seek expert legal guidance in protecting their intellectual property rights.