How can movies pull off copying other movies' storylines?

Question

I've watched a few movies that had mirror images of other movies' plotlines.

Deep Impact/Armegeddon
The Wild/Madagascar

How do they pull that off? Can't they get into trouble for copyright or what not?

Answer 1

Those are close but not identical- Deep Impact and Armageddon are very different stories, just about a similar situation. Usually studios try to change things just enough to avoid lawsuits, or they obtain an agreement from whoever has the rights to the existing film. This is the case whenever the film is offically a re-make.

In some cases they simply go ahead and do their copycat movie, hoping that if their new film makes enough money they can just absorb legal settlements as part of their cost.

If you want to see a REAL clone job, check out the original "La Femme Nikita" vs "Point of No Return".

Answer 2

I know. Kinda funny huh? They can't make too much money off of that either. I know I'm not going back to watch the same movie twice. I'm sick of all these remakes too! How about Rear Window and Distrubia? Total strikeout in my opinion. Jimmy Stewart rules!

Answer 3

Their not the same Silly_Rabbit , there is a big difference, or they would need to copyright.... : )

Answer 4

they can't pull copying off other stories lines and less they sign a contract or some kind of agreedment giving them permission to do it.

Answer 5

The names have been changed to protect the lawsuits. That's just the facts ma'am!

Answer 6

they are not EXACTLY the same. If it was then they need copyright.

Answer 7

there are only so many stories in the naked city