Gilligan’s Island Remake Awash With Copyright Controversy

Travis P. Dunson ("Dunson") filed suit for copyright infringement, money damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees, as well as damages for breach of implied contract, conversion, unjust enrichment, and quantum meruit against Time Warner Co., Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Warner Bros. Pictures, Atlanta Entertainment, Inc., Doug Frank, Brad Copeland, and Lloyd J. Schwartz ("Defendants").

Dunson's complaint alleges his creation in 1999 of an original adaptation screenplay of the 1960's Gilligan's Island television show, which he registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, effective March 18, 2004, Certificate No. Pau2-846-399 ("Dunson's Screenplay"). On that same date, according to the complaint, Dunson's Screenplay was registered with the Writers Guild of America (Registration No. R15376).

According to the complaint, Dunson's Screenplay was reviewed in 2008 by Defendant Doug Frank who "loved it." However, Dunson's agents became unhappy with his direct contact with Frank and announced "the deal is off." In 2010, Dunson learned that the owners of the original Gilligan's Island franchise were working on a remake of the television series. By 2011, Dunson learned a synopsis of the proposed...