Badmovies.org Forum

I was at mhvf.net and I was reading a post that was discussing if  the Italian films GREAT WHITE (1981), ROBOWAR (1988), and SHOCKING DARK (1989) could be obtained and released on DVD, despite their said reputation as being rip-off films.

In this case, SHOCKING DARK ripped-off both THE TERMINATOR and ALIENS, while ROBOWAR ripped-off PREDATOR.  And because of these films similarities, it's been wondered if the American companies would still sue if these Italian rip-offs were released on DVD.

What do you think? I say their is no way in hell the American companies could sue: these Italian films would be released on DVD to be viewed in the confort of your own home, not in theatres where everybody could easily see it and spread the word.

They could sue on the basis of lost sales/rentals.  They don't need to be released into theaters for there to be economic harm.  The question is how closely do these "rip offs", um, rip off the others.  I don't know much about this area of law, but it must be pretty hard to win a case, what with the first amendment and all.  Just imagine if someone sued everytime someone in Hollywood sued over "hey, you ripped off that idea."  My god, directors, writers, actors, producers would actually have to come up with original ideas.

unless they use footage without concent, or copy the film shot for shot / line for line, I don't think there would be any lawsuits, as raj said movies constantly rip off other movies, its a daily thing in hollywood nowadays.