Yesterday, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple Sued Over 'Tetris' Film by Gizmodo Editor Dan Ackerman." Gizmodo, alleges Apple TV+ film “Tetris” illegally copied from his book on the popular video game, in a lawsuit he filed seeking at least $4.8 million in damages from Apple and others. Today's report covers the original "Preliminary Complaint" filed with the court along with other details including a copy of the actual court filing for you to review.  

 

Preliminary Statement

The movie entitled "Tetris" demonstrated the confiscation of Dan Ackerman’s original work and creation of his book “The Tetris Effect.” Plaintiff Ackerman’s book took a unique approach to writing about the real history of Tetris, as it not only applied the historical record, but also layered his own original research and ingenuity to create a compelling narrative non-fiction book in the style of a Cold War spy thriller.

Mr. Ackerman’s literary masterpiece, unlike other articles and writings, dispelled of the emphasis on the actual gameplay and fans, and instead concentrated on the surrounding narrative, action sequences, and adversarial relationship between the players.

This was the identical approach Defendants adopted for the Tetris Film, without notable material distinction, but often resonating the exact same feel, tone, approach, and scenes as the book introduced several years prior.

As demonstrated herein, it becomes readily apparent that the Tetris film is substantially similar in almost all material respects including specific chapters and pages of said book that were simply adopted from the book to the film, without Plaintiff’s knowledge, authorization, or consent.

Defendants

Defendant Noah Pink is a Canadian citizen and purported screenwriter, and currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. When Mr. Ackerman created and published his book The Tetris Effect, Mr. Pink was unknown within the film industry and had no screenwriting credits to his name. Defendant Pink has been credited as the screenwriter for the Tetris film.

Defendant APPLE INC. is a Delaware Corporation with corporate offices in multiple  countries and major US cities, including New York. Apple is the platform and distributor for the Tetris film, and continues to show the Tetris film on its Apple TV platform in violation of Mr. Ackerman’s copyright

Co-Defendant ACCESS INDUSTRIES, INC is a New York corporation and resident of New York conducting business and maintaining an office in New York City with a registered office at 80 State Street, Albany, New York 12207, and principal corporate offices at 730 Fifth Ave, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10019. Access Industries is one of the producers for the Tetris film.

Defendant AI PRODUCTIONS LTD. is a subsidiary of Access Industries, with offices at 28 Church Road, Stanmore, Middlesex, England HA7 4XR. AI Productions is one of the producers for the Tetris film.

Defendant MARV STUDIOS LTD. is an English private limited company with a registered office address at 11 Portland Mews, London, England, W1F 8JL, and conducting business with a fair amount of permanency and presence in New York. Marv Studios is one of the producers for the Tetris film.

Defendant FB COMMISSIONING LTD. is an English private limited company with a registered office address at 11 Portland Mews, London, England, W1F 8JL, and conducting business with a fair amount of permanency and presence in New York. FB COMMISSIONING is one of the producers for the Tetris film.

Defendant The Tetris Company is a Nevada corporation formed on November 27, 2018 with a Registered Office at 9788 GILESPIE STREET, SUITE 418, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89183. The Tetris Company is the manager and licensor for the Tetris brand to third parties.

Maya Rogers is a resident of Hawaii and Nevada, and is the CEO of the Tetris Company. Ms. Rogers is also an Executive Producer on the Tetris Film

The full lawsuit presented in full below also covers a "Statement of Facts;" Cause of Action One – Copyright Infringement; Cause of Action Two: Unfair Competition (against Maya Rogers, Tetris Company and Noah Pink); and, Cause of Action Three: "Tortious Interference with Business Relations (Against May Rogers and Tetris Company).

The Plaintiff requested the following relief from the Court:

• Actual and compensatory damages in an amount equal to 3% of the total production budget of the Tetris film;
• Punitive damages equal to 3% of the total production budget of the Tetris film;
• For an award of pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest in the maximum amount permitted by law;
• For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

 

Copyright Lawsuit Filed by Daniel Ackerman Against Apple Inc,, Noah Pink Etc., by Jack Purcher on Scribd