After a five-year legal dispute, Disney has emerged victorious in a copyright trial concerning its hit animated film Moana.
A Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of the entertainment giant, concluding that the film’s creators, John Musker and Ron Clements, had no prior knowledge of Buck Woodall’s work, Bucky the Surfer Boy, while developing Moana in 2016.
Copyright Allegations Dismissed
Woodall had accused Disney of lifting elements from his work, including its Hawaiian setting and Polynesian mythological themes. He claimed that his distant relative, Jenny Marchick, a former director at Mandeville Films, had shared his copyrighted material with Disney, ultimately leading to the creation of Moana.
However, the jury found no evidence supporting Woodall’s claims. “We are incredibly proud of the collective work that went into the making of Moana and are pleased that the jury found it had nothing to do with Plaintiff’s works,” a Disney spokesperson said. “This decision reinforces our position that Moana is an entirely original creation.”
Legal Battle
Despite the courtroom defeat, Woodall’s legal fight is far from over. He has filed a separate lawsuit targeting Moana 2, which has grossed over $1 billion globally. This lawsuit alleges that Disney knowingly incorporated elements of Bucky the Surfer Boy into the sequel and seeks a staggering $10 billion in damages—approximately 2.5% of Moana 2’s earnings.
The complaint also accuses Marchick and other Disney associates of conspiring to steal Woodall’s intellectual property. Woodall’s legal team contends that Marchick, driven by career ambitions, passed along his copyrighted work, which they argue played a role in shaping the Moana franchise. Marchick, now the head of development at DreamWorks Animation, has denied any wrongdoing.
Marchick Denies Involvement
During testimony, Marchick stated that she had no recollection of ever sharing Bucky materials with Disney, despite receiving updates and documents from Woodall over the years. She acknowledged securing an interview for Woodall with a Disney Channel animator, but it did not lead to any job offer.
What’s Next?
While Disney’s win in the Moana copyright case seemingly closes one chapter, the legal battle over Moana 2 is still unfolding. No trial date has been set for the new lawsuit, but industry experts anticipate Disney will seek its dismissal, citing the jury’s favorable verdict in the original case.
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