Tevin Murry v. Jeanne Simon et al., Civil Action No. 1:23-cv-01493-MLB (N.D. Ga., Apr. 6, 2023)

Plaintiff Tevin Murry, writer/creator of a proposed teen-focused television show exploring themes relating to bullying, is suing the consultants who helped him commercialize the project, and who he alleges stole his idea and sold it to Nickelodeon.

In his Complaint, Murry claims copyright over the characters in his original, creative work entitled “The Journey” with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2017 (Copyright Registration No. VAu001312124). Complaint, at 1. Murry also claimed copyright over the story under the name “The Journey” the following year (Copyright Registration No. TXu002075184). Id.

In April 2020, Paramount’s Nickelodeon channel aired the first episode of a cartoon show, produced by Defendant Nelvana, entitled “Ollie’s Pack.” Id. at 2. Murry alleges Defendant Nelvana’s work is “strikingly similar . . . too much so to be an independent creation.” Id. Murry’s Complaint outlines a thorough list of similarities between the works, ranging from similarities between the main characters to similarities revolving around other story elements and illustrations. See id. at 8-9. The final episodes of Ollie’s Pack aired on Nicktoons from May 3 to 6, 2021. Id. at 8.

The Complaint seeks judgment for copyright infringement and contributory copyright infringement under federal copyright law, an accounting of all the Defendants’ profits gained from their alleged unlawful use of Plaintiff’s work, and damages related to Defendants’ past infringement and all future broadcasts, digital releases and licenses, among others.

The case has been assigned to Judge Michael L. Brown.