Copyright Lawsuit Claims Alison Brie And Dave Franco's "Together" Is A "Blatant Rip-Off"

Michael

3 min read

Post on May 19, 2025

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Copyright Lawsuit Claims Alison Brie and Dave Franco's "Together" is a "Blatant Rip-Off"

A controversial copyright infringement lawsuit has been filed against Alison Brie and Dave Franco, alleging their acclaimed film "Together" is a near-identical copy of an independent filmmaker's work. The legal battle promises to be a fascinating case study in the complexities of artistic inspiration versus outright plagiarism.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims that "Together," the acclaimed romantic drama starring Brie and Franco, is a blatant rip-off of an independent film titled "Togetherness," created by aspiring filmmaker, Michael Stone. Stone alleges that "Together" not only shares a strikingly similar title but also mirrors numerous plot points, character arcs, and even dialogue from his original work.

Striking Similarities Fuel the Legal Firestorm

Stone's lawsuit details several alleged similarities between the two films, including:

• The Central Premise: Both films depict a couple navigating the challenges of a long-term relationship during a period of self-isolation. Stone argues that this central theme, while not unique in itself, is developed in remarkably similar ways across both films.
• Character Development: The lawsuit claims that key characters in both films share strikingly similar personalities, motivations, and even physical descriptions.
• Dialogue and Scenes: Several scenes and specific lines of dialogue, according to Stone's legal team, are virtually identical in both "Together" and "Togetherness." They’ve included specific examples in the court documents, although these details remain sealed for now.

The lawsuit claims that Stone’s film, "Togetherness," was completed and submitted to various film festivals in 2019, well before the release of Brie and Franco's "Together" in 2021. This timeline, Stone’s lawyers argue, strengthens their case by establishing a clear precedence for his work.

The Defamation Counterclaim

In a surprising turn of events, Brie and Franco have filed a counterclaim, alleging defamation and seeking damages for what they deem to be a malicious attempt to tarnish their reputations and the success of their film. Their legal team maintains that any similarities between the two films are purely coincidental and that the accusations are baseless.

This countersuit highlights the high stakes involved in copyright litigation, especially for established actors like Brie and Franco. The potential for damage to their careers and reputations is significant, adding another layer of intrigue to this already complex legal battle.

The Future of Copyright in Independent Filmmaking

This case brings to the forefront the ongoing debate surrounding copyright protection in the film industry, especially for independent filmmakers who often lack the resources to vigorously defend their work. The outcome will likely have significant implications for future cases involving alleged copyright infringement in the independent film sector. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of copyright registration and the need for robust legal protection for original works.

Will Stone succeed in proving copyright infringement? Only time will tell. The legal battle promises to be a closely watched case with potentially far-reaching consequences for the film industry. We will continue to update this story as it develops. Stay tuned for further updates.

Related articles:

• [Link to an article about copyright infringement in the film industry]
• [Link to an article about the success of Alison Brie and Dave Franco's careers]

(Note: This article is a fictional representation of a potential news story. No such lawsuit currently exists.)