Appeals Court Rejects Copyright Claim Against ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

A federal appeals court recently ruled that the blockbuster film “Top Gun: Maverick” did not infringe on the copyright of a magazine article. This ruling comes from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California.

Details of the Ruling

The court determined that “Top Gun: Maverick,” produced by Paramount Pictures, lacked substantial similarities to the 1983 article “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay. This article focused on the U.S. Navy’s Top Gun fighter pilot training program in San Diego. The court’s decision stated that key plot elements in “Maverick” were distinct from those in “Top Guns.”

Background on Copyright Claims

Ehud Yonay originally granted Paramount rights to his article for the 1986 film, for which he was credited. In 2020, his heirs, widow Shosh Yonay and son Yuval Yonay, terminated this license. They subsequently claimed entitlement to a share of the profits from “Maverick,” which grossed $1.5 billion globally, ranking as Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing film.

Arguments from the Yonays

The Yonays argued that “Maverick” contained similarities in plot, character, and thematic elements with “Top Guns.” They asserted that both works depict the challenges faced by those striving to excel in fighter aviation.

Court’s Reasoning

• The appeals court noted significant differences in the plots, including a romantic subplot unique to “Maverick.”
• It observed that the claims made by the Yonays fell short due to high-level abstraction, which does not meet copyright protections.
• Circuit Judge Eric Miller emphasized that what is protected cannot be considered similar, and what is similar is not protected.

The ruling confirmed an earlier dismissal by U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson in Los Angeles. Additionally, Paramount does not have to credit Ehud Yonay in “Maverick,” as the original agreement did not apply to the film.

Ongoing Legal Matters

Paramount also faces a separate lawsuit in New York from screenwriter Shaun Gray, who claims to have written scenes in “Maverick.” Jury selection for this case is set to begin on March 9.

This ruling reinforces the distinction between inspiration and copyright infringement, highlighting the complexities of intellectual property rights in the film industry.