Key Takeaways
- The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on January 2, 2026, that Paramount’s 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick” did not infringe the copyright of a 1983 magazine article.
- The court upheld a 2024 dismissal and confirmed Paramount is not obligated to credit the original article’s author for the sequel.
- The ruling clarifies ongoing copyright disputes amid Paramount’s continued legal challenges related to the film.
US Appeals Court Rejects Copyright Claim Against ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
On January 2, 2026, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California, ruled that Paramount Pictures’ blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” did not violate copyright related to a 1983 magazine article titled “Top Guns.” This article originally inspired the 1986 “Top Gun” film. The appellate decision not only affirms a 2024 dismissal but also safeguards Paramount’s rights amid ongoing litigation. The 2022 sequel has earned $1.5 billion globally, ranking as the 14th highest-grossing film ever and Tom Cruise’s top-grossing release to date.
Details of the Copyright Dispute and Legal Reasoning
The copyright claim was brought by Shosh and Yuval Yonay, heirs of Ehud Yonay, author of the 1983 article. In 1983, Ehud Yonay granted Paramount rights for the original “Top Gun” film and received credit. However, the heirs terminated that license in 2020, contending “Top Gun: Maverick” unlawfully incorporated key plot points, characters, dialogues, and themes from the article without authorization.
The appeals panel disagreed, emphasizing differences between the article and the sequel. They noted elements such as a romantic subplot and the protagonist, Navy Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, returning as a flight instructor were absent from the article. Circuit Judge Eric Miller explained the alleged similarities were too abstract to warrant copyright protection, writing, “Their claim of substantial similarity fails because what is protected is not similar, and what is similar is not protected.” Furthermore, the court clarified the 1983 license did not cover the sequel, so Paramount was under no obligation to credit Ehud Yonay for “Maverick.”
Ongoing Litigation and Broader Implications of the Copyright Ruling
This appellate ruling endorses U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson’s April 2024 dismissal of the Yonay family’s suit in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, Paramount faces another copyright-related lawsuit filed in New York by screenwriter Shaun Gray. Gray alleges he contributed specific scenes to “Top Gun: Maverick” and seeks a share of the film’s substantial profits. Jury selection for that case is slated for March 9, 2026.
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The court’s decision underscores the stringent legal standards applied in copyright disputes involving derivative works like sequels. Industry stakeholders and investors are likely to view this as a positive precedent reinforcing Paramount’s intellectual property rights. This clarity is crucial for safeguarding revenue streams from one of the most lucrative film franchises.
Copyright: Market Outlook
The ruling highlights how copyright claims will remain complex, hinging on detailed comparisons of protected expression versus general themes or ideas. This judgment sets a key precedent for future licensing agreements and profit-sharing disputes in the entertainment sector. Paramount’s successful defense affirms the importance of clear artist rights and licensing terms, influencing how studios strategize around sequels and adaptations in an evolving legal landscape.
