Digital-effects company Rearden has completed its closing arguments in an ongoing jury trial in California. The firm is pushing to secure $38.7 million from Disney for what it called ‘massive infringement’ of its copyrighted special-effects software. The software in question was allegedly used in Disney’s remake of “Beauty and the Beast”.
Rearden’s legal counsel presented their case to the federal jury, urging them to find favour in their financial demand. On the other hand, Disney’s counsel rebuffed these claims, arguing their company isn’t liable for any infringement committed by their vendor. Moreover, Disney’s attorneys have described Rearden’s damages request as ‘the height of ridiculous’.
It now rests with the jury to weigh these arguments and reach a verdict. The outcome of this trial could have wide-ranging implications in the realm of intellectual property law, with tech companies and media conglomerates keenly awaiting the result.