Midnight in Paris

(2011)   Tags: Sony

Faulkner Literary Rights, LLC v. Sony Pictures Classics, Inc

At issue in this case is whether a single line from a full-length novel singly paraphrased and attributed to the original author in a full-length Hollywood film can be considered a copyright infringement.

Faulkner has alleged claims, arising out of Sony’s use of a quote from revered literary giant William Faulkner’s Requiem for a Nun in the film, Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen.

The dispute centers on the Requiem quote of county attorney Gavin Stevens, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” Midnight contains the quote, “The past is not dead. Actually, it’s not even past. You know who said that? Faulkner, and he was right. I met him too. I ran into him at a dinner party.”

Judgment: The case is Dismissed.