Hollywood Docket: Producer Accuses Michael Douglas of Ruining Film Fund Deal

Posted by Matthew Heller

Case: Howard Zuker v. Michael Douglas, Case No. BC389603 (Los Angeles Superior Ct.), filed April 24

Claims: Breach of fiduciary duty, interference, breach of contract

Allegations: Actor-producer Howard Zuker, a partner in the American Entertainment Holding Co., developed the concept of exploiting AEHC's "massive library" of intellectual property rights through a film fund. As a result of the actions of defendants Michael Douglas and Christopher Baker, "AEHC was never permitted to consummate the Film Fund or any similar type of transaction ... This significantly harmed AEHC's value, to the detriment of all interest holders."

Filing attorney: Matthew Lesnick, Santa Monica

Case: Atlantic Recording Corp. v. Project Playlist, Case No. 08-CV-3922 (USDC, S. N.Y.), filed April 28

Claims: Copyright infringement, unfair competition

Allegations: Project Playlist operates an interactive streaming music website that provides a "vast index" of links to music recordings available on the Internet. Despite knowing that the "overwhelming  majority" of the recordings are infringing, it "aggressively touts its service as a legitimate enterprise when, in fact, Project Playlist's business is built on and supported by the infringement of Plaintiffs' copyrighted works."

Filing attorney: Gary Orseck, Robbins Russell, Washington, D.C.

To view the complaint, click here.