Film Law: Paramount Sues For Ownership of Fellini’s ‘La Dolce Vita’

“Paramount Pictures is going to court to prove that it owns the copyright to Frederico Fellini’s classic film, La Dolce Vita. Since the film’s release in 1960, ownership on the film has changed hands several times, leading to a complicated chain-of-title dispute that Paramount wishes to put to rest once and for all.

On Thursday, Paramount filed a complaint in California federal court against International Media Films, which also claims to be the valid copyright owner of the Fellini classic.

Last year, La Dolce Vita celebrated its 50th anniversary, and both companies took advantage with theatrical re-releases and special edition DVDs and Blu-Rays. Paramount received cease-and-desist letters, leading the studio yesterday to file an intriguing case that figures to stretch across oceans and time.

Although this lawsuit is new, it’s not the first time that the copyright to La Dolce Vita has been in question. . .”

THR, Esq. has the full story.

Photocredit: Senses of Cinema