A woman has filed a copyright infringement suit against filmmaker Tyler Perry, claiming she wrote the hit 2005 film “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”— not him.
Perry must appear in court this week. According to KSLA News 12, Perry’s company Tyler Perry Studios, and Lionsgate Entertainment, were also named in the suit which was filed by Donna West May 2007. West is seeking all profits made from “Diary” as well as damages.
West says she wrote a story called “Fantasy of a Black Woman” in 1990. She got a copyright for the film in 2006. Perry’s lawyers said that West has no grounds to sue because she didn’t register her work until after the allegations. “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” debut February 2005.
Opening arguments begin December 3 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Marshall, Texas.
November 13, 2008 @ 4:57 pm
Tyler Perry Sued Over “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”
Woman claims Perry never wrote it…but took the credit
Article tags: Jill Scott, Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson
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Comments
1.
eyecandy83 says:
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well, i stay in the city where the trial was taking place and i must say that donna west made herself look stupid.when asked what was the similarities of her play and the movie she said she didnt know that it would take a while for her to point them out. how stupid is that?if ur gonna take someone to court for something have your facts.if her play was wrote in the 90's and produced as a playwhy did it take her so long to get it copy written?i think she was just after $$$ cause she's had medical problems/bills and decided this was an easy outlet.She thought-i got major medical bills, im an aspiring playwrite, hmm..why dont i take some lines of this play, get it copywritten and make it my own and i'll go from there. Nevertheless, Congrats to Tyler Perry and his team on winning this case. May God continue to store his richest blessings upon you.
December 10, 2008 at 5:40 am
2.
frenchcd says:
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I believe Donna West is telling the truth because nothing else he mad was as good as that move.
December 3, 2008 at 8:41 pm
3.
FlipOver says:
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I Wonder.... Is this the woman he was in Love with?
November 17, 2008 at 12:14 pm
4.
steve_o says:
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guess now everyone knows to copyright what you make before hollywood steals it
November 17, 2008 at 11:26 am
5.
tsmith0629 says:
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This is how you know that you are a major star in hollywood. Don't let this get to you Mr Perry, just keep on making those great movies.
November 14, 2008 at 2:04 pm
6.
fdhobson says:
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so basically he isnt saying he didn't steal it, but rather she shouldve registered early? WOWW.....
November 14, 2008 at 1:51 pm