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‘Moana’ Trial Ends in Win for Disney as Company Is Cleared of Copyright Infringement

A jury on Monday cleared Disney of a copyright infringement claim involving 'Moana,' which was brought by the author of 'Bucky the Wave Warrior.'

A jury on Monday sided with Disney in a copyright trial involving “ Moana,” clearing the company of an infringement suit brought by a screenwriter. After a two-week trial in federal court in Los Angeles, the eight-member jury found unanimously that Disney did not have access to the 2011 screenplay or earlier treatments. Woodall, who is based in New Mexico, alleged a series of similarities between his work and the original 2016 “Moana.” He argued that both projects involve teenagers who defy their parental orders to set off on a dangerous voyage and save a Polynesian island.

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