The recent Apple TV+ film Tetris is facing accusations of being copied from a book written several years ago. Dan Ackerman, the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo, has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant and the Tetris Company, claiming that they have plagiarized his book, The Tetris Effect. The book creatively narrates the history of the iconic game in the form of a thrilling story set in the Cold War era.
Ackerman alleges that he had shared a pre-publication copy of his book with the Tetris Company and its CEO Maya Rogers in 2016. However, later that year, his agent received a cease and desist letter, warning him not to pursue any film or TV opportunities related to the book. Ackerman claims that Rogers collaborated with screenwriter Noah Pink to develop a screenplay using content from his book, without his consent or knowledge.
According to Ackerman, his book generated significant interest from various producers for adaptation into film and television. However, the Tetris Company refused to license its intellectual property for the project, opting instead to create its own adaptation. Ackerman alleges that this was a deliberate move to exploit his work without providing him due compensation.
In his complaint, Ackerman explains that licensing their work for film and TV is a crucial revenue source for writers. He views the Tetris Company’s actions as an ‘economic attack’ on his business, rather than a genuine effort to prevent unauthorized use of its intellectual property. To substantiate his claim, Ackerman compiled a detailed list in the lawsuit, outlining numerous striking similarities between his book and the film. The list highlights instances where scenes in the movie closely mirrored his versions of events which were based on real-life scenarios.
It is yet to be determined whether the court will find merit in Ackerman’s accusations, considering the events in question are based on historical facts. Ackerman is seeking damages amounting to 6 percent of the film’s $80 million production budget, including actual, compensatory, and punitive damages.
The lawsuit against Apple TV+ and the Tetris Company raises important questions about intellectual property rights and creative integrity in the entertainment industry. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the court weighs the claims made by Ackerman and the defense presented by the defendants.
