A prominent copyright lawsuit has emerged, centering on acclaimed creator Issa Rae and her film One of Them Days. Three screenwriters are alleging that the hit movie closely mirrors their original, unreleased script, raising important questions about creative ownership in Hollywood.
The screenwriters, Tyrone Perry, Shon Oku, and Joshua Isaacson, claim their buddy comedy screenplay was submitted to a producer connected to Rae. Soon after, Rae’s film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, was announced and achieved significant box office success. The lawsuit, filed on July 30, 2025, details claims of 29 specific elements allegedly lifted without permission from the original script by Rae’s production team, including Sony and TriStar. These alleged similarities, confirmed by veteran writer John Brancato, span from comedic beats to character development. The writers are pursuing a jury trial and damages.
This situation serves as a critical reminder for the Black creative community about the complexities of intellectual property within the entertainment industry. While Rae has not yet publicly commented, this legal challenge arrives as a sequel to One of Them Days has already been greenlit. The outcome of this case could significantly influence how stories created by people of color are protected and valued in the future.
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