backKing & Spalding secured a complete victory for Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), in a copyright litigation matter before United States District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall concerning the 2016 animated feature film Moana. Plaintiff originally alleged that Moana infringed his copyrights and trade secrets and sought disgorgement of direct and indirect profits from various TWDC subsidiaries relating to Moana in addition to seeking injunctive relief. The majority of Plaintiff’s claims were dismissed on summary judgment.
On March 10, 2025, after a two-week trial, a jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching a unanimous defense verdict.
Defendants were represented at trial by Michael Roth and Arwen R. Johnson of King & Spalding LLP.