The legal group representing Dave Franco and Alison Brie for their upcoming movie “Together” are strongly contesting allegations of plagiarism. They’ve branded the copyright lawsuit as ‘groundless’, insisting that the two productions bear no significant resemblance to each other.
Originally showcased at Sundance in January and subsequently purchased by Neon for an estimated USD 17 million, the movie titled “Together” will hit theaters on July 30th. A legal dispute, initiated in May 2025, has been brought forward by the creators of the 2023 indie film “Better Half,” who assert that “Together” is a clear imitation of their production.
The argument revolves around the main theme of the movie, where two characters are inexplicably bonded together by some unknown power. However, the lawyers defending ‘Together’ argue that this concept is neither original nor protected by copyright law.
What are the differences between Together and Better Half?
In a letter dated May 21, as reported by Variety, attorney Nicolas Jampol stated: “The concept your client claims ownership of is not protected. Neither do any of our clients hold such rights. This idea is not original; it has been previously used in numerous films, TV shows, and fictional works, predating all involved parties.
Jampol pointed out that whereas Better Half, crafted by Patrick Henry Phelan, offers a delightful comedic take, Together presents a chilling blend of supernatural horror and body terror. Essentially, he noted that Together stands as a stark contrast to Better Half on nearly all fronts.
In addition, he noted that screenwriter Michael Shanks had previously submitted a draft with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) in 2019, which was before your client’s script for Better Half was sent to WME in 2020. Jampol further explained, “In fact, Mr. Shanks had already written the key parts that your client is now claiming he stole.
Here’s why the lawsuit is being challenged
As stated in the complaint, producers Jess Jacklin and Charles Beale from Better Half allegedly expressed shock upon viewing Together at Sundance. They asserted that the film appeared to have copied almost every unique aspect of their story, such as references to the Spice Girls and Plato’s Symposium, details they believed were distinctive to their script.
On the contrary, Jampol downplayed those points, suggesting they were just coincidental occurrences. He noted that the Spice Girls’ debut album featured a track titled “2 Become 1,” which made it hardly shocking to make such a connection.
In a letter dated June 9th, Daniel Miller, representing the plaintiffs, expressed confidence that a jury would identify a specific sequence in the two movies as a direct copy of Better Half’s initial content. He highlighted identical scenes where characters are linked at their lower bodies and must conceal themselves from an outsider outside a restroom.
As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder why the defense hasn’t disclosed the early draft of their screenplay they claim was registered in 2019. It strikes me as odd that they’re attempting to explain away apparent similarities between our works. I firmly believe the evidence will do the talking; it’s time for truth to reveal itself!
Jampol advised the plaintiffs to withdraw their lawsuit, as he anticipated that the defense would request compensation for legal fees if the case progressed. He emphasized that accusing someone of copyright violation, particularly those who have dedicated their careers to producing original content, should not be done casually. He further explained that this was crucial in a situation where he believed the two works were distinctly different.
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2025-06-13 11:22