Netflix Faces Copyright Infringement Allegations Over Film “Rez Ball”

Overview

Netflix, the dominant force in the streaming industry, is currently facing a copyright infringement lawsuit. The claimant, a screenwriter named Rob Grabow, alleges that the film “Rez Ball” has significant similarities to his own script, “The Gift of Game,”. Interestingly, the lawsuit was filed despite the completion of the film’s shooting before the screenplay was shared by Grabow.

The Controversy

Rob Grabow’s script, “The Gift of Game,” bears a striking resemblance to the Netflix film “Rez Ball.” Both narratives revolve around Native American high school basketball players aiming for the state championship. This parallel has led Grabow to believe that his intellectual property rights have been violated.

About “Rez Ball”

“Rez Ball” made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival and was subsequently released on Netflix in September. The film, which centers on Native American basketball players, was co-written by Sterlin Harjo – known for “Reservation Dogs” – and produced by basketball legend LeBron James. The movie’s inspiration is rooted in the 2019 book “Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation” by Michael Powell, who followed the Chinle, Arizona team throughout the 2016-17 season.

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Filming Locations

The New Mexico Film Office released a statement indicating that the filming of “Rez Ball” took place at various locations across the state in May 2023.

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The Lawsuit

According to Grabow’s lawsuit, he shared his script “The Gift of Game” with several individuals who were either friends with Harjo or professionally linked to him in early 2024, about nine months after the filming of “Rez Ball” was completed. The script was officially registered with the U.S. Copyright Office on January 25, 2024, and was penned in 2023.

Grabow based his script on his own experiences in both acting and basketball, creating a narrative about a mixed-race team led by a Native American star. He alleges that he held numerous discussions with potential collaborators in 2024, all of whom ultimately decided not to associate with the project. Furthermore, he sent his script to several producers and actors, some of whom were linked to Harjo.

Alleged Similarities

The lawsuit filed by Grabow mentions several alleged similarities between his script “The Gift of Game” and the film “Rez Ball.” One key similarity highlighted is the climactic ending shared by both narratives.

Legal Perspective

Devin McRae, the attorney representing Grabow, asserts that even if “The Gift of Game” was shared after the principal photography for “Rez Ball” wrapped up in May 2023, there could still be grounds for copyright infringement. In an email, McRae stated that there might be enough time (a 16-month period) for significant alterations to be made to the film in post-production, such as editing, pick up shots, re-shoots, or voiceover.

When asked for a comment on the allegations, Netflix chose to remain silent on the issue.

Conclusion

As the lawsuit unfolds, the allegations of copyright infringement leveled against Netflix over the film “Rez Ball” has caught the attention of both the film and legal industry. It remains to be seen how this case will impact the streaming giant and the future of content creation.

FAQs

1. What is the lawsuit against Netflix about?
The lawsuit alleges that Netflix’s film “Rez Ball” shares significant similarities with Rob Grabow’s script “The Gift of Game,” leading to claims of copyright infringement.

2. Who is Rob Grabow?
Rob Grabow is a screenwriter who authored the script “The Gift of Game,” which he argues shares similarities with Netflix’s film “Rez Ball.”

3. What is the film “Rez Ball” about?
“Rez Ball” is a film focused on Native American high school basketball players competing for the state championship. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was subsequently released on Netflix in September.

4. Has Netflix responded to the allegations?
As of now, Netflix has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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