ARTICLE · 15 AUGUST 2022

Top Gun: Maverick Flies Into A Derivative Danger Zone

Barnard Inc.

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In true fly-by style, Paramount Pictures' blockbuster Top Gun sequel, Maverick has, by mid-August, already whizzed to a global box office haul of a staggering USD 1.37 billion...

South AfricaIntellectual Property

Stefaans Gerber

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In true fly-by style, Paramount Pictures' blockbuster Top Gun sequel, Maverick has, by mid-August, already whizzed to a global box office haul of a staggering USD 1.37 billion. The new film also flew into a legal storm when the family of the late Israeli writer, Ehud Yonay, whose article inspired the original 1986 film Top Gun, announced they would be suing the film-makers for copyright infringement over the highly anticipated Tom Cruise flick.

In 1983, California Magazine published an article by the late Israeli author, Ehud Yonay. Titled "Top Guns," the story evoked romantic and dramatic imagery of the exploits and adventures of Navy jet fighter pilots. Paramount Pictures quickly secured exclusive motion picture rights to Yonay's story shortly after its publication and he was then credited on the original 1986 film.

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