From WKMG.com
Suit: Disney's 'Pirates' Movie Pirated
Disney Spokesman Says Lawsuit Has No Merit
<text id="txt_posted">POSTED:</text> 4:51 pm EST January 31, 2005
<text id="txt_updated">UPDATED:</text> 5:34 pm EST January 31, 2005
<!--startindex-->ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida filmmaker is taking the Walt Disney World Co. to court claiming the company stole the idea for their blockbuster movie "Pirates of the Caribbean -- Curse of the Black Pearl," according to Local 6 News. <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="10" width="200"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#244e8b"><table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#d9e3f2">
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</td></tr></tbody></table>The "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie is supposedly based on the Disney theme park attraction. However, in a 386-page lawsuit, Royce Mathew claims he developed the idea for the movie."When I started seeing it, I literally had tears in my eyes because, as an independent artist working numerous jobs, my whole career was basically pirated," Mathew said.Mathew, an Altamonte Springs filmmaker who has worked on such projects as "Assault of the Killer Bimbos," says that 10 years ago he made a short film that resembled the Disney movie. <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="10" width="200"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#244e8b"><table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#d9e3f2">
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"I have a supernatural story about pirates who are trying to return a treasure, not steal it," Matthew said.Mathew refused to show Local 6 News a copy of the movie, claiming it's part of his legal strategy.In a letter, a Disney attorney told Mathew that the company stands ready to investigate his claim that his rights were infringed. However, to investigate, Disney is also asking to see a copy of Mathew's movie.Mathew hopes his lawsuit will grab the attention of the movie's lead actor.In his lawsuit, Mathew seeks a cut of Disney's profits from all movie, DVD and merchandise sales.Mathew does not have an attorney, Local 6 News reported.A Disney spokesman said the lawsuit has no merit.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story. <!--stopindex-->
Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Suit: Disney's 'Pirates' Movie Pirated
Disney Spokesman Says Lawsuit Has No Merit
<text id="txt_posted">POSTED:</text> 4:51 pm EST January 31, 2005
<text id="txt_updated">UPDATED:</text> 5:34 pm EST January 31, 2005
<!--startindex-->ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Central Florida filmmaker is taking the Walt Disney World Co. to court claiming the company stole the idea for their blockbuster movie "Pirates of the Caribbean -- Curse of the Black Pearl," according to Local 6 News. <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="10" width="200"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#244e8b"><table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#d9e3f2">
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>The "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie is supposedly based on the Disney theme park attraction. However, in a 386-page lawsuit, Royce Mathew claims he developed the idea for the movie."When I started seeing it, I literally had tears in my eyes because, as an independent artist working numerous jobs, my whole career was basically pirated," Mathew said.Mathew, an Altamonte Springs filmmaker who has worked on such projects as "Assault of the Killer Bimbos," says that 10 years ago he made a short film that resembled the Disney movie. <table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="10" width="200"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#244e8b"><table border="0" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#d9e3f2">
"I have a supernatural story about pirates who are trying to return a treasure, not steal it," Matthew said.Mathew refused to show Local 6 News a copy of the movie, claiming it's part of his legal strategy.In a letter, a Disney attorney told Mathew that the company stands ready to investigate his claim that his rights were infringed. However, to investigate, Disney is also asking to see a copy of Mathew's movie.Mathew hopes his lawsuit will grab the attention of the movie's lead actor.In his lawsuit, Mathew seeks a cut of Disney's profits from all movie, DVD and merchandise sales.Mathew does not have an attorney, Local 6 News reported.A Disney spokesman said the lawsuit has no merit.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story. <!--stopindex-->
Copyright 2005 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
