9th Circ. Revives 'Beauty' FX Copyright Verdict Against Disney

By Editorial Team

The Ninth Circuit on Thursday revived a verdict that Walt Disney Pictures vicariously infringed a digital effects company's facial-motion capture software by using it for the 2017 "Beauty and the Beast" film, saying the tech company presented sufficient evidence for jurors to find Disney could have stopped its effects contractor's infringement.

The ruling comes as a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between the digital effects company and Disney over the unauthorized use of the facial-motion capture software in the production of the popular film.

The Ninth Circuit's decision to revive the copyright verdict highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry and sets a precedent for holding major production companies accountable for copyright infringement.

The case has been closely watched by legal experts and industry professionals alike, as it raises important questions about the boundaries of copyright protection in the digital age and the responsibilities of production companies to ensure they are not infringing on the intellectual property rights of others.

Both parties involved in the case, the digital effects company and Disney, have been represented by prominent law firms, including Hagens Berman and Munger Tolles, respectively.

As the legal battle continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the parties navigate the complexities of copyright law and whether a settlement will be reached or if the case will proceed to trial.