Apple, Tetris Company Sued by Gizmodo Editor Over 'Tetris' Movie Allegedly Copied From His Book

Dan Ackerman, the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo, has taken legal action against Apple and the Tetris Company, alleging that the film "Tetris" on Apple TV+ was stolen from his book "The Tetris Effect."

According to Reuters, Ackerman claimed that the film utilized content from his book without his authorization. Ackerman's book presents the history of Tetris in the style of a Cold War-era thriller. He asserted that his work was unlawfully adapted for the film, prompting his legal challenge.

Dan Ackerman's Lawsuit Against Apple and The Tetris Company

According to Dan Ackerman's lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, he provided The Tetris Company and its CEO Maya Rogers with a pre-publication copy of his book in 2016.

Despite this, his agent later received a cease-and-desist letter prohibiting him from pursuing film and TV opportunities related to his book. Ackerman alleged that Rogers collaborated with screenwriter Noah Pink to develop a screenplay using material from his book, all without his knowledge or consent.

In his legal complaint, Ackerman argued that the actions of the Tetris Company could be seen as a deliberate economic threat to his business rather than a genuine effort to protect their intellectual property.

He emphasized that authorizing works for film and TV adaptations is a vital source of income for authors. As evidence, Ackerman highlighted several resemblances between his book and the film. Nevertheless, some of these likenesses stem from actual historical events, potentially raising doubts about the credibility of his assertions.

Dan Ackerman Seeks for Compensatory Damages

One of Dan Ackerman's arguments was that specific scenes in the movie closely resemble his interpretations of real occurrences. While the film and the book exhibit shared elements in their storytelling approach, the court's decision on the matter of copyright infringement remains uncertain.

Ackerman is seeking compensatory damages, actual damages, and punitive damages equal to 6 percent of the film's production budget, which amounts to $80 million.

He asserted that the movie "Tetris" unfairly used his original work for its own benefit, potentially impacting his income and reputation. This legal dispute raises questions about the boundary between creative inspiration and copyright infringement in the realm of storytelling.

As the case unfolds, it will likely prompt discussions about the ethics of adapting existing works for film and TV, especially when the adaptations bear significant resemblance to the source material.