Apple has successfully defended its ‘Tetris’ movie against a lawsuit claiming it copied a book about the game’s history. A U.S. District Court judge ruled that the film, released on Apple TV+, did not violate copyright laws. The ruling dismissed the case filed by author Dan Ackerman, who alleged that Apple and The Tetris Company adapted his book without permission.
Ackerman’s book, The Tetris Effect: The Game That Hypnotized the World, was published in 2016. He claimed Apple used elements from his work to create the 2023 biopic starring Taron Egerton. However, the court sided with Apple, stating that both the book and the film were based on historical facts rather than unique creative expression.
Why the Judge Ruled in Apple’s Favor
Judge Katherine Failla dismissed the lawsuit, explaining that Ackerman’s book is a non-fiction work. Because of this, Apple and its co-defendants had the right to use the historical facts it contained. The ruling stated:
“Since Plaintiff’s book is a work of non-fiction, Defendants were entitled to use the facts in his book, as long as they did not copy his unique expression of those facts.”
The decision reinforced the legal principle that historical events cannot be copyrighted, only the way they are told.
Ackerman’s Claims and The Tetris Company’s Role
Ackerman argued that The Tetris Company initially refused to license his book for adaptation. Instead, he claimed, the company worked with Apple to develop the film based on his research.
Despite his allegations, the court found no substantial similarities between his book and the movie. Apple secured the rights to the film in 2020, and it premiered on Apple TV+ in March 2023.
What’s Next for the ‘Tetris’ Movie?
With the lawsuit dismissed, Apple’s ‘Tetris’ movie remains available on Apple TV+. The film, directed by Jon S. Baird and written by Noah Pink, tells the dramatic true story of how the game’s licensing rights were secured during the Cold War era.
This ruling marks another legal victory for Apple, reinforcing the challenges of copyright claims on historical events.
