Paramount settles lawsuit over rights to 'Scream' mask
- Alterian countersued Paramount, Spyglass and Fun World for copyright infringement the day the movie companies filed their lawsuit
Paramount Skydance and film producer Spyglass Media Group have settled a dispute with Hollywood makeup and special-effects studio Alterian over the rights to the “Ghostface” mask from Paramount and Spyglass’ “Scream” horror movie series, according to a filing in California federal court.
The parties told a judge,in Los Angeles on Wednesday that they have resolved their dispute and will dismiss their lawsuits against each other. Spokespeople for the companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment and more information about the settlement on Thursday.
Alterian was founded by makeup and effects designer Tony Gardner. His studio has worked on films including “Zombieland,” “Jackass” and “Hairspray” and helped create the iconic helmets for electronic music duo Daft Punk.
Gardner said he created the Ghostface mask in 1991. Paramount and Spyglass sued Alterian in February, alleging it had tried to “strong-arm” them into paying millions of dollars to avoid a copyright lawsuit weeks before “Scream 7” was released later that month.
The movie companies argued that they properly licensed the mask from costume maker Fun World, which also claims to have created it in 1991, and that Alterian had forfeited its right to sue by raising its claims too late. The first “Scream” movie was released in 1996.
Alterian countersued Paramount, Spyglass and Fun World for copyright infringement the day the movie companies filed their lawsuit.
“Despite stringing along Alterian for more than a year with enticements of brokering a mutually acceptable resolution, Defendants — goliaths in the industry — shamelessly continue to rip off and profit from Alterian’s creative work with impunity,” Alterian said in its complaint.
Fun World did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the settlement on Thursday.
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