Disney Settles Predator Copyright Dispute With Original Writers

Disney has put the copyright dispute regarding the Predator franchise behind them, settling the dispute with the original film’s writers. Reuters reports that a court filing in Los Angeles revealed that Disney’s Twentieth Century Studios and the brother writing team of James and John Thomas mutually agreed to drop the lawsuit following a settlement. The brothers’ lawyer has issued a statement which said that the parties had come to an “amicable resolution” in the matter.

The dispute arose after the Thomases filed suit to gain the copyright back for the 1987 film using the U.S. Copyright Act’s termination clause which allows authors to reclaim their copyrights after 35 years. This is the same clause that has allowed Victor Miller to regain the rights to Friday the 13th, Clive Barker to regain Hellraiser, and Wes Craven’s estate to reclaim the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Disney had opposed it initially, but they have since settled which will allow them to move ahead with the release of the new film Prey, which is a Predator spinoff set to bow on Hulu this summer.

The move also allows Marvel to potentially move ahead with their Predator comic book series, which was forced to be delayed after the Thomas brothers filed their lawsuit.