Disney Wins 'Moana' Copyright Case, Faces New Battle Over Sequel

Disney has won a copyright trial regarding its film 'Moana', with a jury ruling that creators John Musker and Ron Clements did not copy Buck Woodall's 'Bucky the Surfer Boy'. However, Woodall continues a separate lawsuit over 'Moana 2', seeking USD 10 billion in damages.

In a significant legal victory, Disney has successfully defended itself in a copyright trial concerning its blockbuster film 'Moana'. A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of Disney, deciding that the creators of 'Moana', John Musker and Ron Clements, had no prior knowledge of Buck Woodall's earlier work, 'Bucky the Surfer Boy'.

Despite the favorable verdict for Disney, the legal dispute is far from over as Woodall pursues another lawsuit against the entertainment giant. This second case targets 'Moana 2', which has grossed over USD 1 billion globally, with allegations of copyright infringement related to the sequel's plot and themes.

Woodall argues that his distant relative, Jenny Marchick, a former director at Mandeville Films, shared his copyrighted material with Disney, facilitating the creation of 'Moana'. However, the jury determined that those involved in 'Moana' had no exposure to Woodall's work. As Woodall's legal team weighs their options, Disney remains firm in its stance on the originality of its creations.

(With inputs from agencies.)