By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Tyler Perry may be a filthy rich and very successful filmmaker, but it hasn’t been a smooth road to fame for the man who managed to singlehandedly help close friend Oprah save her once struggling cable network OWN. Tyler’s works are extremely popular, leading his films to continuously top the box office. However, he’s also finding himself as a continuous target for lawsuits and claims that he’s stolen other people’s works to get inspiration for his most successful films. According to reports, Perry was sued over his “Good Deeds” film by a woman who claims the storyline for the film was ripped from her book. Author Terry Donald filed a suit claiming Tyler Perry infringed the copyright of her book, “Bad Apples Can Be Good Fruit,” a book published in 2007. The book was mainly about an African-American woman who has a tortured past and a very successful and rich black businessman.
Donald claims Perry stole her characters, theme, plot and multiple scenes throughout the book. In the suit, she asked for $250,000 in initial damages and she also requested an injunction to require Lionsgate to add credit for her book in the opening and closing credits of the film.
However, Variety.com reports federal judge William H. Pauley III has sided with Perry and Lionsgate and dismissed her claim, ruling that Tyler Perry owes the woman nothing and did not infringe on her book’s copyright because he feels the similarities between the works was not sufficient enough to sustain a copyright infringement claim.
Well Tyler knows how to steal just enough not to get sued. Smart man.
LMAO!
But she lost though. So that means he didn’t steal. lol
Just remember this: ANYONE can petition the court for a civil lawsuit. There is no probable cause as is needed for criminal law. Anyone who has made money knows that he or she is a target for frivolous law suits. Just initating this action, observe how much these petitioners have gotten their name in the news where otherwise no one would have heard of them. Even if or when the petitioner loses, he or she will still have that moment of name recognition.
Tyler is always getting sued.
Dang another lawsuit? LOL!
Clearly this woman had no case. People are so damn jealous of this man it’s sad. I’m glad he won. Now maybe people will think twice before they file these stupid lawsuits they can’t win.
Let me guess, you’re a Tyler Perry fan?
Good for him.
Interesting. The more people claim Tyler steals their work, the more I start to wonder if he really does.
Tyler’s lawyer stays busy I’m sure. People hate this man. And doesn’t he have another court date coming up for Temptation? Sheesh.
He sure does. Crazy.
You can always tell when Tyler stole a movie idea because it actually turns out being a decent movie. #shrugs #justtellingthedamntruth #dontbemad #stansrelax #imhungryandreadytogohome #whatyalldoingtonight
LOL at those hashtags.