The Legal Dispute Over “Tetris”: A Court Ruling Favors the Film
Image of Taron Egerton in “Tetris” – source: Apple
Judge Rules in Favor of Apple’s ‘Tetris’ Adaptation
A recent court decision has quashed a lawsuit alleging that the Apple TV+ feature film “Tetris” improperly appropriated content from a book documenting the iconic game‘s history.
The Journey to Production
Initially, the film “Tetris,” which combines elements of drama with documentary storytelling, faced significant hurdles in securing financial backing for several years. In 2020, after being acquired by Apple TV+, production commenced, leading to its premiere on the streaming platform in March 2023 — shortly before the litigation surfaced.
Details of the Lawsuit
Author Dan Ackerman accused Apple and The Tetris Company of utilizing his book’s material without authorization or compensation. However, as reported by Reuters, a U.S. District Judge Katherine Failla dismissed these claims during recent court proceedings.
Court’s Reasoning
Judge Failla determined that there was insufficient similarity between Ackerman’s work and the cinematic portrayal. She emphasized that both narratives stemmed from authentic events surrounding Tetris but concluded that factual basis alone does not constitute copyright infringement.
Judicial Statement on Non-Fiction Works
“Given that Plaintiff’s Book represents a non-fiction narrative,” stated Judge Failla, “the Defendants had every right to incorporate factual elements deriving from it while maintaining their own unique depiction.”
Ackerman’s Work and Its Background
Ackerman authored “The Tetris Effect: The Game That Hypnotized The World,” published in 2016. He asserts he shared an early draft with The Tetris Company; subsequently, he received a firm cease-and-desist notice concerning use related to his literary efforts.
The Company’s Stance on Licensing Projects
Diversely, it is reported that The Tetris Company denied licensing permissions for any media adaptations derived from Ackerman’s publication at this time.
Tune into ‘Tetris’
You can now stream “Tetris,” available exclusively on Apple TV+. This adaptation features screenplay contributions from Noah Pink and direction by Jon S. Baird, with lead performances delivered by actor Taron Egerton.
