Gawker Seeks Dismissal In Tarantino Leaked Script Copyright Case

Gawker Media says that facilitating access to filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s leaked script should not be considered a violation of copyright, and asked a California judge to dismiss a lawsuit Tarantino filed against the company in January. The director sued Gawker for contributory copyright infringement, noting that, instead of simply reporting that a copy of the screenplay for the now-scuttled project, “The Hateful Eight,” had been leaked, Gawker posted a link to a full version, even telling its readers to “Enjoy!” Gawker argued, in a March 10 motion to dismiss, that without a clear example of direct infringement Tarantino has no case. Further, Gawker argues, linking to the script qualifies as fair use. “Gawker’s challenged use was transformative and for the statutorily favored purpose of reporting news,” the motion says.