‘Top Gun’ Copyright Challenged by Heirs of Magazine Author
variety.comGene Maddaus Senior Media WriterThe original “Top Gun” was based on a 1983 article in California magazine. On Monday, the author’s heirs sued Paramount Pictures, claiming that the studio is profiting wildly from the sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” even though it no longer holds the copyright to the magazine story.The article’s author, Ehud Yonay, died in 2012.
His widow, Shosh Yonay, and son, Yuval Yonay, filed a notice in 2018 reclaiming the copyright to the story, which took effect in 2020.In the lawsuit, they argue that Paramount distributed “Top Gun: Maverick” without obtaining a new license to use the underlying material.
The suit seeks damages as well as an injunction that would bar Paramount from distributing the film. “Top Gun: Maverick” is currently the top grossing film in theaters, with a domestic haul nearing $300 million.The Yonays are represented by Marc Toberoff, an attorney who is a veteran of copyright termination battles with the major studios.
He is currently involved in a lawsuit against Marvel, which is challenging termination notices he filed on behalf of five comic book creators.
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