It appears 'Good Hair' isn't all good after all -- at least for comedian Chris Rock that is.
The narrator and director of the film has been slapped with a lawsuit by documentary filmmaker Regina Kimbell for allegedly lifting the concept from her 2005 documentary 'My Nappy Roots.'
TMZ reports that in 2007, while on the set of the hit television series 'Everybody Hates Chris,' Kimbell showed Rock her original docu-flick, which also featured notable celebrities discussing various hairstyles.
To the filmmakers claim, 'My Nappy Roots' won best documentary at the 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, seeks "no less than $5 million" in damages and attorney fees.
In the meantime, Rock will maintain his natural roots this Friday when he releases 'Good Hair,' which stars Nia Long, Meagan Good, Al Sharpton, Marvet Britto, Andre Harrell and Raven-Symone.
To the filmmakers claim, 'My Nappy Roots' won best documentary at the 2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival.
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, seeks "no less than $5 million" in damages and attorney fees.
In the meantime, Rock will maintain his natural roots this Friday when he releases 'Good Hair,' which stars Nia Long, Meagan Good, Al Sharpton, Marvet Britto, Andre Harrell and Raven-Symone.
What a moron. Not Chris Rock -- the documentarian.
ReplyDeleteI guess this means everyone who made a documentary about the Vietnam war after the first dude was infringing a copyright. And everyone who did a documentary about Dubya after the first one was infringing a copyright.
You can't copyright the concept of recording reality. About the only thing she should be able to enforce for copyright purposes is the title of her film. Which he didn't steal. Stealing the rest of it is his right, whether folks approve or not.
Looks to me like some whiny small-time would-be filmmaker is just looking to bilk a wealthy dude out of some cash. It's not his fault her only accomplishment in life has been a documentary that, apparently, nobody other than Chris Rock ever saw.
Documentaries have been made time and time again about the same subject matter however just different in its production... Happy Nappy has nothing to do with good hair we watch talk shows that carry the same subject matter each and every day and I never see anybody yelling they used my subject as long as he did not mimic her complete concept end of story...
ReplyDelete5 Millions That’s funny…
Good luck
OK, she had an idea....made a documentary, won best documentary in 2007. So can no one else make a documentary on the same topic? I think the problem is, she made a documentary that not many people saw and Chris Rock made a movie that millions will see...end result, Chris Rocks gets PAID!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteUmmm, usually when someone makes a documentary, writes a book etc., they have protected their ideas and expressions (aka copyright). If that is the case, Chris Rock indeed ows this young lady some cheddar!
ReplyDeleteLearn some copyright law. If I make a documentary about WW1's Black soldiers that does not "legally" prevent anyone else from doing a documentary on the same subject. If you use the images and/or script of my project I have legal recourse under the copyright laws.
ReplyDeleteHer law suit has no merit if her only argument is he saw her project.
Ideas are not copyrightable; the original expression of the idea is...thus, a film about hair is not copyrightable; but if no one expressed this concept the way she did (prior art) and then he sees her doc. and expresses it like she did, it is cleary Copyright Infringement. However, even if he knew of her work, his attorneys also would know that, even if she sues him, that the judges (whom these lawyers have relationships with, will throw the case out on Summary Judgment.This has happened to numerous Independent Artists and we are on a MISSION to stop this injustice! www.hollaback.org
ReplyDeleteOur documentary will reveal the truth behind the corrupt judicial process which is denying us, we believe, of our Seventh Amendment Right to a Jury Trial of our Peers. Instead, the cases are decided by judges..Contact us, Ms. Kimbell...get the truth before you are out $100K like I despite clear and convincing evidence that your work has been stolen.
The funnyman is being sued over his new movie, a documentary which looks into the lengths members of the black community go to in order to change their hair, by a filmmaker who claims a film she made — and allegedly screened for the actor — is similar enough to Rock’s movie to be considered copyright infringement to the tune of at least $5 million.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the lawsuit filed by Regina Kimbell in United States District Court, Central District of California, Kimbell claims Rock’s new film is very similar to her own film, “My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage.”
In her lawsuit, Kimbell claims there are over a dozen similarities between her film and Rock’s, including their titles, which she says are opposites on the spectrum of how a person defines black hair.
She also claims both films are “socially and politically conscious”; both films were inspired by the filmmakers’ respective daughters; each film includes interviews with medical professionals — in the case of “Nappy Roots” a doctor was used while “Good Hair” used a dermatologist; both films interviewed hair care pioneers; each film looks at how India is involved in the use of weaves; both films have comedians to add “comic relief”; both have “celebrities tell their own hair stories”; both tour a “manufacturing plant where hair relaxers are maid” and more.
She also claims “Good Hair” is “clearly copied from” her own film.
In the court filing, Kimbell claims Doug Miller, now an Executive Producer of “Good Hair,” requested a screening of “My Nappy Roots” for Rock over two years ago. She alleges in her legal filing that she asked Miller to sign a non-disclosure agreement with respect to the film and she claims he said he would.
During the alleged 2007 screening, Kimbell claims Rock yelled at the screen during a segment about Indian hair, saying, “We have to go to India!”
Following the alleged screening, Miller said she learned Rock was working on a film about black hair and she felt “stunned and violated.” She also claims following the screening, Miller “refused to sign the non-disclosure agreement.”
Kimbell is suing for copyright infringement, unfair competition and fraud and deceit among her complaints. She is seeking a trial and at least $5 million.
As an artist, this is why we dont like to see other peoples works. I get requests all the time from aspiring artists who want feedback, my opinion or even help in advancing their career. I'm to the point that I dont even want to look at someone's work for fear of being sued for "stealing their idea." Its a sad commentary, particularly because an IDEA CANT BE COPYWRITTEN. I was looking at someone's work one time, and it was similar to something I had already in the works but when it comes out, she'll swear I copied her (luckily, my documented timeline will prove I didnt). The bottom line is, when you think artists dont want to help, this is most likely why. They'll find themselves in Chris' position, even if he wins, paying money to defend a lawsuit. BTW-never saw either film, but if I were doing a documentary on black hair, I would include everything they did...
ReplyDeleteActually an idea can be copyrighted it's called 'Intellectual Property'. If I find a new way to use a paper clip I can copyright it. Other people can use paper clips but never, without payment, use it the way I have claimed it. I saw the documentary years ago on the old cable access and when I saw the trailer for Rock's movie I actually thought the barber shop scene was very familiar.
ReplyDeleteI like Chris Rock, love his show, but this really does sound like IP infringement. He should just have approached her and offered her a cut up front.
I was very surprised at the Seinfeld ruling. The book was so similar to the plaintiff's.
Why is it so difficult for individuals to work together? If Kimbell showed Chris Rock her idea, why not just collaborate on the film? This film will probably make more than enough for everyone involved. We make things difficult for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThis lawsuit will get thrown out based on a testimony that the author Steven King gave to the Supreme Court years ago. He said there is no such thing as Plagiarism because all so called original ideas have been exhausted.
ReplyDeleteI hope Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou sue the pants off Regina Kimbell. It's been a few years since I've read "The Bluest Eye" (Morrison) and "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" (Angelou) but it seems to me that either or both of those authors used the phrases "good hair" and/or "nappy hair." How dare Kimbell lay claim to a expressions that are so clearly "owned" by an ENTIRE RACE OF PEOPLE!
ReplyDeleteGolly, gee, I didn't realize you could sue for a claim on the entire concept of hair documentaries! She made a film, it was a winner, but she does not own the CONCEPT of "hair issues". She made a film, he made a film. Both concern hair...something we deal with daily. All of us! I wish them both well, but she needs to 'relax' her spirit a bit, methinks. There's room on the shelf for both documentaries. We all got heads. Hers just appears...a bit large at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHe may have gotten the idea of the writter's story, "My Nappy Roots," but Chris Rock's concept is showing the styles, the lengths women with tightened curly hair go to straightening it, covering it, and relaxers used, which, if nothing else, as a former student in the 1960's in high school taking cosmetology and beauty culture, we were taught about "Pormade" and a flattening iron to straighten the hair of a black woman, so it would be both the author of the book and movie, that plagerized what beauticians and grandmothers have used for years. It's just like the Wayan Bros. whom I believe used the concept of "White Women," depicting Tom Hanks and his partner in the dorm sitcom, two men wanting to fit in at a woman's dorm, but no one went after the Wayans'.
ReplyDeleteShe can't believe she is the only Black that had the good hair topic, Lady please. Now that is an on going topic in the Black community I can't believe this and I bet you she is educated. See school does not always help
ReplyDeleteHey, sista, don't blow yo' fro. Chris Rock is a righteous brotha. Peace.
ReplyDelete