Amblin Entertainment, the production company founded by Spielberg, has been accused of breaching agreement over 'Save the Dinos' phrase used to promote 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'.
- Jan 7, 2019
AceShowbiz - Steven Spielberg wants a $10 million (£7.9 million) lawsuit over a slogan used to promote "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" thrown out of court.
According to website The Blast, lawyers for Spielberg's firm Amblin Entertainment have filed court documents in a case brought by Frederick Zaccheo of conservation organisation The Dinosaur Project, who claims producers breached an agreement to license the phrase 'Save the Dinos' to use in the movie's marketing.
Zaccheo alleges their agreement allowed the slogan to be used to promote the movie, but not to sell clothing as his venture produces apparel bearing the phrase. He is demanding more than $10 million in damages for breach of contract, trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Amblin's attorneys want the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the conservation campaigner does not possess the valid trademarks and that their use of the slogan is protected by America's first amendment, which guarantees free speech.
Bosses at the film's distributor Universal have also counter-sued Zaccheo, accusing him of breaking a $50,000 (£39,000) deal they struck to use 'Save the Dinos' in marketing on the proviso he did not interfere with "Fallen Kingdom"'s promotional campaign. They claim his lawsuit constitutes the interference he promised to avoid.
The phrase 'Save the Dinos' was used in viral videos featuring Bryce Dallas Howard's character in the movie, Claire Dearing, the leader of a group trying to save Jurassic World's dinosaurs from extinction. Zaccheo alleges producers breached their licensing agreement by selling items including shirts, socks and other clothing items.
