A letter sent to the California Supreme Court yesterday followed by my own letter:
On Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 3:36 PM, Marsha Williams
June 27, 2013
MARSHA POSNER WILLIAMS
The Honorable Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye
The Honorable Associate Justices of the California Supreme Court
Supreme Court of California
Earl Warren Building at Civic Center Plaza
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4797
RE: TERENCE DUNN v. DREAMWORKS ANIMATION SKG, INC.
Case #S211313
Dear Honorable Chief Justice Tani Gorre Catil-Sakaye and
the Honorable Associate Justices of the California Supreme Court:
As a Co-Producer of the hit series, THE GOLDEN GIRLS, and having worked in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years, I have earned two Prime Time Emmy Awards as well as three Golden Globe Awards for my efforts. I am a huge proponent, advocate and supporter of innovation and creativity in television, film and in all industries where originality is foremost.
I have also produced informational and training videos as well as public
service announcements for many different departments within the United
States Government. An anti-terrorism advertising campaign produced by me for the U.S. State Department resulted in the government’s capture of major
overseas terrorists.
I’ve known Terry Dunn since the mid-1990’s as a fellow producer of holistic
health and fitness videos (Terry’s forte is Tai Chi/Kung Fu and my forte is Yoga and Pilates).
I have followed the torturous ordeal that Terry has experienced in trying to get just compensation for the original “Zen-Bear” ideas that he created in 1992, and copyrighted in 1993 even before Dreamworks was formed in 1994.Terry alleges that his Zen-Bear idea was stolen from his in-person pitch in November, 2001 and is the basi s for the Kung Fu Panda franchise.
I want to voice my concerns over the obvious and serious errors committed by the Trial and Appellate courts that have led to the filing of Dunn’s petition.
The errors of the lower courts raise many issues that I believe need to resolved in order to ensure the health not just of my industry, television, but all creative industries where innovation is key and where the purveyors of truly original ideas must be protected adequately.
I believe that if the issues raised in Dunn’s petition are not addressed, a
massive loophole will continue to exist that will protect corporate predation and promote and further encourage idea theft.
My bottom line, gut reaction is this: when I first met Terry, I was invited to his home to discuss various fitness stuff – while there, he showed me his Zen
Bear maquettes, treatments and an an early draft of a children’s book, based
on his Zen Bear Panda and its ability to perform Kung Fu. I remember clearly cheering Terry on when he later called and told me he was going to
Dreamworks Animation to have an in person meeting to pitch the Zen Bear
movie and later being horrified when I saw that “Kung Fu Panda” was being
released by Dreamworks Animation with Terry was being completely cut out of the deal!
But now, I am now even more disturbed that the court systems and the law
have apparently failed to correct this blatant theft committed by Dreamworks.
I’m not a lawyer, but I do know that resolving these issues in Terry’s petition will be good not only for our industry, but for all creative industries dependent on innovation. And if these issues are not corrected, and Terry is not given his due, it will be one more example of unchecked corporate greed and corporate theft which is always a blight on society and that we everyday people abhor and despise.
Idea theft. Not only does it only deprive the idea purveyor of his growth and
livelihood, it deprives society of the greater benefits of an originator’s talent or genius. Who wants to see a knock off of a product born of theft?!
I have seen Terry Dunn’s excellent character design for his Zen Bear Panda, as well as his Tiger, Leopard, Snake, Dragon, Crane,Monkey, Preying Mantis and Tortoise and in my opinion, they are all far superior to what Dreamworks came up with. It’s so unfortunate that audiences have been deprived of Terry’s complete story and original creations.
I hope in reviewing his Terry’s petition, Your Honors will do what’s right to
enable Dunn’s restoration, thereby improving the laws governing idea
submission cases in our business and which will ultimately be good for all
creative industries.
Sincerely, Marsha Posner Williams
—————————-
RE: TERENCE DUNN v. DREAMWORKS ANIMATION SKG, INC.
Case #S211313
Honorable Chief Justice Tani Gorre Catil-Sakaye and
the Honorable Associate Justices of the California Supreme Court:
I am writing in my individual capacity, however I believe that when many of the organizations I normally represent in the Same Page/Misma Pagina (SPC) Coalition are apprised of this case that they will agree with my point of view. The SPC includes many important entertainment industry people associated with the Bring Hollywood Home Foundation (BHHF) which is part of the coalition. I also work closely with several Independent Film Producers and have done so for years in a volunteer and/or professional capacity. From these contacts I have more than an average knowledge of the entertainment and film industries.
Professionally as a private investigator, I have also been involved with many situations involving “Hollywood” including but not limited to a federal court appointment in connection with the prosecution of Anthony Pellicano and his co-defendants.
I was also the private investigator who exposed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles Stoll as having thrown over twenty (20) cases filed against various Disney corporate entities out of court—while his single largest investment was $50,000 worth of Disney stock. Stoll was publicly reprimanded for this misconduct by the Commission on Judicial Performance.
I am a proponent, advocate and supporter of innovation and creativity in television, film and in all industries where originality is critical.
I know and respect Terry Dunn, have worked with him in an investigative capacity
I want to voice my concerns over the obvious and serious errors committed by the Trial and Appellate courts that have led to the filing of Dunn’s petition. The errors of the lower courts raise many issues that need to be resolved in order to ensure the health not just of television, but all creative industries where innovation is key and where the purveyors of truly original ideas must be protected adequately.
I believe that if the issues raised in Dunn’s petition are not addressed, a loophole will to exist that will protect corporate predation and promote and further encourage idea theft.
Intellectual property theft deprives the idea purveyor of his/her growth and livelihood while it deprives society of the greater benefits of an originator’s talent or genius.
Respectfully Yours, Jan B. Tucker
