From The Hollywood Reporter · Winston Cho · · 1m
New Regency Sues Michael Mann Over Heat Rights
New Regency sues Michael Mann to keep Heat screenplay rights after director claims 40-year copyright reclamation.
In brief
New Regency sues Michael Mann to keep Heat screenplay rights after director claims 40-year copyright reclamation. New Regency filed a lawsuit to retain Heat screenplay rights as Michael Mann claims statutory copyright reclamation after 40 years. Originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
New Regency sues Michael Mann
New Regency filed a lawsuit in California federal court to reassert ownership of Heat screenplay rights.
“The Screenplay is not subject to termination”
Mann claims copyright reclamation
Michael Mann asserts statutory rights to reclaim Heat screenplay after 40 years of ownership.
“After 40 years, Michael Mann is exercising the right of authors to reclaim their work”
Heat 2 preparation underway
Mann prepares to film Heat 2 with Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer starting January 19.
“Heat 2 will begin shooting on Jan. 19”
Copyright termination dispute
New Regency argues Mann’s screenplay was written as a work made for hire, not independent authorship.
“The director penned the screenplay as a work made for hire”
Mann’s termination notices
Mann served three notices to New Regency seeking to terminate copyright grants for Heat.
“The first notice sought to terminate all copyright grants for Heat”
Rights impact on Heat 2
Heat 2 licensing with Amazon depends on copyright dispute outcome.
“Certain provisions of the agreements that Mann and Regency each entered into with Amazon with respect to Heat 2 depend on the outcome of this litigation”
The bottom line
New Regency filed a lawsuit to retain Heat screenplay rights as Michael Mann claims statutory copyright reclamation after 40 years.
