E.L. James’ erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey became a worldwide phenomenon when it was published in 2011, inspiring many satirical readings, setting various paperback sales records and even coining a new term: “mommy porn.” However, after Los Angeles-based Smash Pictures, an adult film production company, produced an actual pornographic movie entitled “Fifty Shades of Grey: a XXX Adaptation,” the author and the Hollywood studio that bought the rights for a film adaptation took exception.
ABC News reported that Universal City Studios and Fifty Shades Ltd. filed a lawsuit on November 27, 2012, alleging copyright infringement and false advertising. The complaint alleges that the adult movie “adaptation is not a parody, and it does not comment on, criticize, or ridicule the originals. It is a rip-off, plain and simple.”
According to ABC, the lawsuit is “seeking an injunction blocking the defendants from using the Fifty Shades trademarks to advertise or sell any goods or services, and from publishing, distributing, advertising or selling the alleged unauthorized material.” Universal and Fifty Shades Ltd. requested the defendants deliver all existing copies of the film to them “for destruction,” and are also seeking any profits the defendants earned from the film, along with lawsuit costs, lawyer’s fees and interest.
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