Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Judge Dismisses Script Suit Against Top Gun: Maverick
A man named Shaun Gray sued Paramount, saying he helped write the script for the movie Top Gun: Maverick.
He claimed he wrote important scenes that made the movie a big hit.
But Paramount said they didn't know about his work and that his copyright claim wasn't valid.
A judge agreed with Paramount and threw out Gray's lawsuit.
The judge also said Paramount's counterclaims, which include accusations of fraud, can move forward.
This means the case isn't over yet, but Gray's main claim was dismissed.
Paramount is happy with the decision, while Gray's lawyer hasn't commented yet.
Shaun Gray sued Paramount for copyright infringement, claiming he contributed to the Top Gun: Maverick script.
Paramount argued Gray's copyright claim was invalid and that he hid his contributions.
Judge Jed Rakoff dismissed Gray's claim and allowed Paramount's counterclaims to proceed.
The judge noted that Gray's alleged scenes were based on the original Top Gun universe.
Paramount expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, while Gray's attorney did not respond to requests for comment.
- Who
- Shaun Gray (plaintiff), Paramount (defendant), Judge Jed Rakoff (decision-maker)
- What
- Dismissal of copyright infringement claim and preservation of Paramount's counterclaims
- When
- August 2025
- Where
- U.S. District Court
- Why
- Judge Rakoff ruled that Gray's copyright claim was invalid and Paramount's counterclaims could proceed
- Plaintiff
- Shaun Gray
- Defendant
- Paramount
- Judge
- Jed Rakoff
- Court
- U.S. District Court
- Film
- Top Gun: Maverick
- Counterclaims
- Copyright infringement and fraud
- Date of Decision
- August 2025
- Original Film
- Top Gun (1986)