Japanese film studio Toho sues US studio, alleging copyright infringement over Godzilla use

foxbusiness ^ | Associated Press | May 20, 2015

[bob_denard]

TOKYO – Japanese movie studio Toho Co. said Wednesday it is suing Voltage Pictures and a director in a lawsuit complaining that promotions of an upcoming film infringe on its copyright to Godzilla.

Toho spokesman Makoto Hanari said a lawsuit was filed Tuesday in a California court, but declined to discuss details. Voltage Pictures President Jonathan Deckter declined to comment.

Toho created Godzilla with its 1954 classic film, owns the rights to the character and licenses it for figures and video games, as well as Hollywood remakes, such as last year's "Godzilla" movie directed by Gareth Edwards.

The current complaint is over buzz that Los Angeles-based Voltage is trying to create for director Nacho Vigalondo's upcoming film "Colossal" that Toho says uses Godzilla images without permission or payment.

Production for the film has not yet begun, and it is unclear whether Godzilla will be in the finished product.

[Army Air Corps]

Ping.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

[Vigilanteman]

I'll side with Toho here after seeing how Hollywood has bullied Japan. When I lived in Japan, Disney made a nursery school paint over a wall mural because it included Disney characters.

Yeah, it may have been copyright infringement, but the school wasn't making money off of it and it made the kids happy. There was no reason to act like jerks over it.

[Last Dakotan]

For decades the Japanese have been relentlessly coping us - then just once the tables are turned...