Disney Wins Copyright Case, Jury Rules No Theft in Moana

A federal jury in Los Angeles ruled in favor of Disney on Monday, rejecting claims by writer Buck Woodall that the company stole his ideas for the animated film Moana. The jury deliberated for approximately two and a half hours, concluding that Disney's creators had no access to Woodall's script for 'Bucky the Surfer Boy', which he alleged shared similarities with Moana. Woodall's initial claim stemmed from sharing his outline with a relative employed at Mandeville Films, but that relative testified she never passed his work to Disney. Disney's attorneys argued that the elements Woodall highlighted, such as Polynesian mythology and narrative tropes, are not copyrightable. Following the verdict, Woodall expressed disappointment and indicated that he would explore further legal options, including a separate lawsuit concerning the upcoming Moana sequel. This case marks a significant moment for copyright claims in the creative industry, particularly regarding comparisons between original works and established franchises.