Hollywood Docket: Inmate Says Rap Movie Shows Him in False Light

Posted by Matthew Heller

Case: Hinton v. Czar Entertainment, Case No. 2008-106581 (New York Supreme), filed May 13

Claims: Publicity rights, defamation, unjust enrichment

Allegations: The producers of the documentary "The Infamous Times of the Original 50 Cent" used a photograph of plaintiff Leonard Hinton, a prison inmate, and others entitled "Brooklyn Heavyweights" without Hinton's consent. The inclusion of the photo also "wrongfully infers that [Hinton] practices the lifestyle of violence, narcotics and weapons depicted throughout the Video and was associated with Kelvin '50 Cent' Martin."

Filing attorney: David Segal, New York

Case: Berton v. Milam, Case No. BC390786 (Los Angeles Superior), filed May 15

Claims: Breach of contract, unjust enrichment, conversion, unfair competition

Allegations: As part of a September 2005 agreement, film producer Stuart Berton worked with screenwriter Scott Milam on development of an original screenplay written by Milam entitled "Wichita." After Milam entered into a deal with Dimension Films for "Wichita," Dimension "completely shut [Berton] out of the development process" and refused to allow him any role as a producer on the film. Defendants have also violated the agreement by failing to pay Berton his one-third share of the compensation -- at least $125,000 -- they have received from Dimension for writing, producing or directing services.

Filing attorney: Seth Miller, King Holmes Paterno & Berliner, Century City