SAN FRANCISCO – A San Francisco man alleges that his work was unlawfully used for the show "Empire."
Ron Newt filed a complaint on April 14 in the San Francisco County Superior Court against Terrence Howard, Lee Daniels, Malcolm Spellman, Danny Strong, 20th Century Fox Film Corp. alleging breach of oral contract, fraud and deceit and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he is the author of book and screenplay "Bigger Than Big" and that he met with Howard in 2010 to pitch the screenplay for a production deal. He alleges the defendants used his works for the show "Empire" and that he has not received any income, revenue or profits from it.
The plaintiff holds Howard, Daniels, Spellman, Strong, 20th Century Fox Film Corp. and Does 1-10 responsible because the defendants allegedly converted plaintiff's material for their own use.
The plaintiff seeks general damages, economic and consequential damages, restitution, lost profits, punitive damages, interest, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Jason J.M. Ross of Knox & Ross Law Group in Oakland.
San Francisco County Superior Court Case number CGC17558182