(1977) Tags: Paramount
Robinson v. Paramount Pictures Corp.
Selle v. Gibb
The substance of the plaintiff’s claim is that he was defrauded into revealing his life story, upon which the movie “Saturday Night Fever” was based. He further alleges that he is entitled to compensation for the work, labor and services he provided during the filming of the movie.
Judgment: The plaintiff’s claim for punitive damages stemming from the fraud is dismissed. We do not reach the merits of the plaintiff’s demands for declaratory and injunctive relief as the plaintiff has since abandoned these causes of action.
Selle v. Gibb
The plaintiff, Ronald H. Selle, brought a suit against three brothers, Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb, known collectively as the popular singing group, the Bee Gees, alleging that the Bee Gees, in their hit tune, “How Deep Is Your Love,” had infringed the copyright of his song, “Let It End.” The jury returned a verdict in plaintiff’s favor on the issue of liability in a bifurcated trial.
Selle first became aware of the Bee Gees’ song, “How Deep Is Your Love,” in May 1978 and thought that he recognized the music as his own, although the lyrics were different. He also saw the movie, “Saturday Night Fever,” the sound track of which features the song “How Deep Is Your Love,” and again recognized the music. He subsequently sued the three Gibb brothers; Paramount Pictures Corporation, which made and distributed the movie; and Phonodisc, Inc., now known as Polygram Distribution, Inc., which made and distributed the cassette tape of “How Deep Is Your Love.”