Netflix Faces Another Copyright Lawsuit Over “Don’t Look Up”

Netflix has been named in yet another legal battle over its 2021 hit film “Don’t Look Up”. Self-published author Darren Hunter has filed a lawsuit against the streaming network, claiming copyright infringement.

Hunter, an author from Harleysville, Pennsylvania, alleges that “Don’t Look Up” borrowed plot elements, characters, and themes from his 2015 self-published novel “The Million Day Forecast.” The lawsuit, filed in Orlando, Florida, seeks a $3 billion in damages.

Hunter’s claims of copyright infringement are based on storyline similarities between his work and the 2021 film—both works feature young, determined female protagonists tasked with warning the world about an impending catastrophe. The lawsuit also claims similarities in themes, including apocalyptic political satire and dark comedy.

This case bears a striking resemblance to a previous lawsuit filed by William Collier in 2023, which was dismissed by a federal judge last month. The judge ruled that the similarities in Collier’s case were too generic to warrant copyright protection. 

Hunter’s attorney, Larry Klayman, accuses the Netflix filmmakers of “deceit and greed”. Netflix has yet to respond to these new allegations. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the film industry, particularly regarding the protection of self-published works. With familiar reoccurring themes throughout various forms of media,  it will be interesting to see how Netflix defends itself against these claims and whether this case will impact future productions in Hollywood.