Disney Wins ‘Moana’ Copyright Case as Jury Rejects Infringement Claims
A Major Legal Victory for Disney
Disney has emerged victorious in a high-profile copyright lawsuit involving its 2016 animated hit, Moana.
After a two-week trial in a Los Angeles federal court, an eight-member jury ruled in favor of Disney, dismissing the infringement claims brought by screenwriter Buck Woodall.
Understanding the Lawsuit: What Was the Claim?
The legal battle began in 2020 when Woodall filed a lawsuit, alleging that Disney’s Moana was based on his screenplay titled “Bucky the Wave Warrior” (2011).
Woodall’s claim revolved around key similarities between his work and Disney’s film, including:
- A teen protagonist who defies parental authority.
- A voyage across the ocean to save a Polynesian island.
- The exploration of ancestral and cultural themes.
Disney’s Defense and the Jury’s Decision
Disney strongly denied the allegations, arguing that:
✔ Moana was developed independently, without access to Woodall’s script.
✔ No evidence suggested that any of Disney’s filmmakers had ever seen Bucky the Wave Warrior.
Ultimately, the jury sided with Disney, concluding that there was no infringement.
Official Reactions to the Verdict
A Disney spokesperson celebrated the win, stating:
“We are incredibly proud of the collective work that went into the making of ‘Moana’ and are pleased that the jury found it had nothing to do with Plaintiff’s works.”
On the other hand, Woodall’s legal team expressed disappointment over the ruling but did not specify their next course of action.
A New Battle Looms: ‘Moana 2’ Lawsuit
This is not the end of the dispute—Woodall filed another lawsuit in January 2024, claiming that Moana 2, the blockbuster sequel released in December, also copied elements from his script.
Despite the ongoing legal drama, Moana 2 shattered records, earning $135.5 million in its opening weekend, the biggest debut for a Disney animated film.
