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The Moodsters Company v. The Walt Disney Company

Petition for certiorari denied on January 11, 2021

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
20-132 9th Cir. N/A N/A N/A N/A OT 2020

Issue: (1) Whether originality is the proper standard to determine character copyrightability; and (2) whether copyrightability " for a character or any work " is a question of fact, or involves questions of fact, ill-suited for resolution on a Rule 12 motion.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
08/03/2020Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 8, 2020)
08/14/2020Waiver of right of respondent The Walt Disney Company, et al. to respond filed.
08/19/2020DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2020.
09/04/2020Brief amici curiae of Suna Izgi, Orly Ravid, Robert C. Lind and Michael M. Epstein filed. (Distributed)
09/08/2020Brief amicus curiae of California Society of Entertainment Lawyers filed. (Distributed)
09/16/2020Response Requested. (Due October 16, 2020)
10/06/2020Motion to extend the time to file a response from October 16, 2020 to November 13, 2020, submitted to The Clerk.
10/07/2020Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including November 13, 2020.
11/13/2020Brief of respondents The Walt Disney Company, et al. in opposition filed.
11/24/2020Reply of petitioner The Moodsters Company filed.
12/02/2020DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/8/2021.
01/11/2021Petition DENIED.