Paramount Free Speech Claim Axes ‘Top Gun’ Sequel IP Theft Suit

A federal judge said he is likely to greenlight Paramount Pictures Corp.'s use of a free speech argument to kill publicity-right claims in a lawsuit over the “Top Gun” movie sequel.

Paramount brought an anti-SLAPP motion against actor Barry Tubb who accused the studio of using his image from the 1986 film, Top Gun, without permission or compensation during a “key turning point” in “Top Gun: Maverick.” The lawsuit also alleged false association under the Lanham Act and sought declaratory relief.

“The Court is very likely to grant Defendant’s anti-SLAPP motion in its entirety,” Judge George H. Wu wrote in ...