Quentin Tarantino Sued by Miramax Over 'Pulp Fiction' NFTs
The studio claims only they have the rights to “develop, market, and sell NFTs relating to its deep film library.”
Miramax has filed a lawsuit versus Quentin Tarantino over his forthcoming Pulp Fiction NFT collection.
According to reports, Miramax claims that the filmmaker did not stop his collection after they sent a cease-and-desist letter, and that Tarantino’s sale of the NFTs “devalues” the studio’s efforts of releasing their own NFTs based on their catalog:
“Tarantino’s conduct has forced Miramax to bring this lawsuit against a valued collaborator in order to enforce, preserve, and protect its contractual and intellectual property rights relating to one of Miramax’s most iconic and valuable film properties.
Left unchecked, Tarantino’s conduct could mislead others into believing Miramax is involved in his venture. And it could also mislead others into believing they have the rights to pursue similar deals or offerings, when in fact Miramax holds the rights needed to develop, market, and sell NFTs relating to its deep film library.”
Meanwhile, Tarantino’s lawyer claimed that the filmmaker has the legal right to sell the NFTs under the “Reserved Rights” clause in his contract with Miramax for Pulp Fiction, which include “soundtrack album, music publishing, live performance, print publication (including, without limitation, screenplay publication, ‘making of’ books, comic books and novelization, in audio and electronic formats as well, as applicable), interactive media, theatrical and television sequel and remake rights, and television series and spinoff rights.” Proskauer Rose LLP partner Bart Williams told THR:
“This group chose to recklessly, greedily, and intentionally disregard the agreement that Quentin signed instead of following the clear legal and ethical approach of simply communicating with Miramax about his proposed ideas. This one-off effort devalues the NFT rights to Pulp Fiction, which Miramax intends to maximize through a strategic, comprehensive approach.
Miramax will defend all of its rights in regard to its library, including rights relating to NFTs, and will not allow Quentin’s representatives to deceive others into believing they have the authority to make similar deals in violation of the rights agreements they signed.”
Dubbed the “Tarantino NFT Collection,” the seven-NFT project will be released alongside SCRT Labs and the Secret Network and will include “the uncut first handwritten scripts of ‘Pulp Fiction’ and exclusive custom commentary from Tarantino, revealing secrets about the film and its creator.”
In other NFT news, the Pontifex carpet has been recreated as an NFT.
