Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. v. Fireworks Entertainment Group, Inc.

Good Law

137 F. Supp. 2d 1177·2001 WL 370146·58 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1556·2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 4549

United States District Court, Central District of CaliforniaApril 5, 2001CV 01-0723ABC (AIJX)California10,207 words

Opinion

Collins, J.

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION

Plaintiffs Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. (“Sony”), TriStar Pictures, Inc. (“TriStar”), and Zorro Productions, Inc.’s (“ZPI”) (collectively “Plaintiffs”) Motion for a Preliminary Injunction came on regularly for a hearing before this Court on March 26, 2001. This case arises out of a dispute between Plaintiffs and Defendants Fireworks Entertainment Group, Fireworks Communications Inc., Fireworks Productions, Inc., Paramount Pictures, and Mercury Entertainment (collectively “Defendants”) about a television series, “Queen of Swords” (“QOS”). After considering the materials submitted by the parties, argument of counsel, and the case file, the Court DENIES the request for a Preliminary Injunction.

I. BACKGROUND

The well known fictional character “Zorro” is at the center of this action. In 1919, Johnson McCulley (“McCulley”) wrote the first Zorro story, which was serialized in a pulp fiction magazine entitled All Story Weekly. That first Zorro story is entitled, “The Curse of Capistrano,” and it features Zorro, the masked avenger, who leads a double life in early Spanish California. McCulley’s Zorro wears a black mask,…

Sign in to read the full opinion

Create a free account to read the complete opinion text, citation history, and good-law status for this case.