Jerry Seinfeld is best known for his work on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Bee Movie and one other series whose name is escaping us right now. Last year, however, a former collaborator claimed that Seinfeld had stolen the idea for Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee in a lawsuit. Now, however, the copyright suit has been thrown out.
Christian Charles claimed that he pitched the idea for the show to Seinfeld way back in 2002, only to have the comedian turn him down at the time. But when they eventually got back together to do the pilot for the show in 2011, Seinfeld ultimately booted Charles from the project when he wanted a co-creator credit.
Seinfeld spoke out against the lawsuit last year, citing myriad reasons why Charles' lawsuit was unreasonable. Among them was the statute of limitations, which offers three years to sue for copyright claims. The first episode of Comedians aired in 2012, and the lawsuit was filed in 2018.
That was enough to have the suit thrown out. As Variety reports, U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan ruled today that the statute of limitations had expired on the copyright claim.
"Because Charles was on notice that his ownership claim had been repudiated since at least 2012, his infringement claim is time-barred," she wrote.
Seinfeld's attorney Orin Snyder added, "Jerry created Comedians in Cars and this lawsuit was nothing but a money-grab seeking to capitalize on the success of the show.... We are pleased that the Court saw through the noise and dismissed the case."
Christian Charles claimed that he pitched the idea for the show to Seinfeld way back in 2002, only to have the comedian turn him down at the time. But when they eventually got back together to do the pilot for the show in 2011, Seinfeld ultimately booted Charles from the project when he wanted a co-creator credit.
Seinfeld spoke out against the lawsuit last year, citing myriad reasons why Charles' lawsuit was unreasonable. Among them was the statute of limitations, which offers three years to sue for copyright claims. The first episode of Comedians aired in 2012, and the lawsuit was filed in 2018.
That was enough to have the suit thrown out. As Variety reports, U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan ruled today that the statute of limitations had expired on the copyright claim.
"Because Charles was on notice that his ownership claim had been repudiated since at least 2012, his infringement claim is time-barred," she wrote.
Seinfeld's attorney Orin Snyder added, "Jerry created Comedians in Cars and this lawsuit was nothing but a money-grab seeking to capitalize on the success of the show.... We are pleased that the Court saw through the noise and dismissed the case."
