Francis Ford Coppola, et al. v. Warner Bros.
Published: Aug. 29, 1998 | Result Date: Jul. 9, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC135198 Verdict – $80,000,000
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Robert S. Chapman
(Sauer & Wagner LLP)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Phillip Hacker
(technical)
Facts
In the early 1990s, motion picture director Francis Ford Coppola decided that he wanted to make a children's film of "Pinocchio." Coppola had discussions with Warner Bros. to make the film which, according to the plaintiffs, never resulted in a contract. Warner Bros. claimed that it had an agreement with Coppola that would prevent him from rendering any services on a Pinocchio motion picture for anyone other than Warner Bros. That assertion was communicated both to Coppola and to Columbia Pictures with whom Coppola was negotiating an agreement for a live action Pinocchio motion picture to be written, directed and produced by Coppola. The film was never made. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant alleging interference with contract and interference with prospective economic advantage.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $15 million. The defendant offered nothing.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and 10 months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
26 hours
Length
26 days
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