November 17, 2021
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As recently reported by the Hollywood Reporter, Victor Miller (“Miller”), the screenwriter of the original Friday the 13th film, successfully reclaimed the U.S. domestic rights to the Friday the 13th franchise.
Miller relied on copyright termination rights — a part of copyright law that permits authors to reclaim the rights to works they created after a set period of time elapses.
The decision hinged on the characterization of Miller’s relationship with the producer. The court held that Miller was an independent contractor and rejected the producer’s argument that Miller created his screenplay as a "work for hire" that is ineligible for termination.
Authors: Eran Rubman and Awale Deria