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Vancouver Man Emil Malak Sues James Cameron Over Avatar Concept

by amyellensoden | March 8, 2010 at 02:45 pm

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Emil Malak Launches Lawsuit Over James Cameron's "Avatar"

Emil Malak, a restaurateur from Vancouver, BC is suing James Cameron and 20th Century Fox over the biggest movie in the world to date - "Avatar." Malak has launched a copywrite infringement lawsuit over "Avatar" due to its close resemblance of his own movie idea, "Terrra Incognita," which he reportedly came up with back in 1996. The owner of Bellagio Cafe in downtown Vancouver claims that the screenplay and characters are his own.

Malak Claims "Avatar" Uses Building Blocks Of His "Terra Incognita"

Malak does not want to suggest that Cameron stole "Terra Incognita" to make "Avatar," but he does believe that the filmmaker had the screenplay and characters in mind that created the formative basis for "Avatar." Malak's lawsuit against Cameron and 20th Century Fox is on the basis that "Avatar" uses the building blocks, the concept, and the overall story of his "Terra Incognita."

Emil Malak says there are similarities between Avatar's story and characters and his Terra Incognita movie idea, which he created back in 1996.

Malak says he came up with the sci-fi plot at the suggestion of his sons and poured his own funds into hiring a screenwriter and graphic artist to concoct a movie concept and to illustrate the characters.

Similarities Between "Avatar" And "Terra Incognita"

The specific similarities between Malak's "Terra Incognita" and "Avatar" can be found in the premise of humans mining another planet for rare minerals. There is also the presence of a tree with the capability to store the collective memories of the indigenous people of an alien planet. Malak also suggests that the appearance of Cameron'\s "Avatars" mimics the likes of his own creations with braided hair, flat noses, spotted faces, and yellow eyes.

Malak To File "Avatar" Lawsuit With B.C Supreme Court

Malak plans to file his lawsuit today in the B.C. Supreme Court. The lawsuit will affect James Cameron, 20th Century Fox, and Lightstorm Entertainment. The copywrite infringement refers to substantially reproducing, adapting and publicly presenting ideas that Malak came up with. After losing his hotel business back in 1996, Malak began to write the premise for "Terra Incognita."

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Mo Joe (not verified)

at 10:56 on March 9th, 2010

I found the guys website....You can look at the comparisons and judge for yourself. I guess like anything there’ll be similarities…. www.tiuniverse.com/ He has a place you can post your comments. Let him know what you think :)

xyzJ (not verified)

at 21:25 on March 9th, 2010

one look at the site and there is no comparison

James Cameron (not verified)

at 08:51 on March 10th, 2010

Can not see any comparisons.... hmmm, maybe you still have your 3D glasses on...While Jame Cameron produced and incredible movie, with unbelievable effects - he obviously stole ideas... the characters, the blue planet, the tree, the minerals ... the facts suggest to many similarities to be true. Malak also has copywrite in his favor and no search in the US shows a result for cameron. I think this would be a VERY long court battle, but its home-court for Emil and bad press for cameron. So, suggest that it may slowly disapear in the near future for an "undisclosed" settlement....