Two Hollywood heavyweight studios are locked in a bitter legal face-off with a Los Angeles-based special effects company over ownership of the iconic Ghostface mask from the “Scream” horror franchise.
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass filed a lawsuit Friday in California federal court accusing Alterian Ghost Factory of declaring ownership of the infamous killer mask and threatening copyright litigation ahead of the release of the seventh installment of the slasher saga.
The studio giants claim the special effects firm accused them of using the ghostly white-faced mask without a legal right, and attempted to “strong-arm” them into paying millions to dodge a copyright lawsuit, according to court docs obtained by The California Post.
“Alterian, Inc. intentionally slept on its purported rights in the iconic ‘Ghostface’ mask used throughout the Scream franchise for thirty years,” the suit charges.
“Now – less than four weeks before Scream 7 is set to be theatrically released worldwide – Alterian has threatened litigation in an effort to strong-arm plaintiffs into paying it millions of dollars.”
In their complaint, Paramount and Spyglass said the Ghostface mask was properly licensed from Fun World, a costume company that touts creating the eerie visage in 1991, and arguing Alterian forfeited its right to sue by waiting decades after “Scream” first debuted in 1996.
The Hollywood powerhouses said the legal fight should be between the costume company and special effects firm, requesting the court rule that Alterian’s claims have legally-expired and they did not violate its copyrights.
“It is a familiar trope of horror films that characters ignore danger until it is too late,” the lawsuit notes.
“In cinema, delay heightens suspense. In the law, unreasonable delay is called laches, and in appropriate circumstances it can foreclose claims for release. This is such a case.”
In a countersuit filed Friday afternoon, the production outlet claimed it created a similar ghost-faced mask – dubbed the “Wailer” – in 1991 as part of a “Ghost Maker” Halloween costume line.
Alterian contends Fun World “shamelessly and intentionally” copied the mask and improperly licensed the creepy face-covering, reaping profits from the billion-dollar franchise, the complaint alleged.
The suit charges the studios and costume agency infringed on its copyrights by copying, publicly displaying, distributing and reproducing the haunting mug.
“We just filed a Complaint for copyright infringement, which speaks for itself,” Brian Wheeler, an attorney for Alterian, told The Post Friday.
“I would be remiss, however, if I did not correct what appears to be a misunderstanding of the nature of my client’s claims. This is not a case about ownership, but rather about copyright infringement.”
The company is seeking no less than $200 million in statutory damages.
Alterian, which worked on classics like “Hairspray,” “Zombieland,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Jackass,” and “Scary Movie 2” – a “Scream” parody that featured the spooky mask – makes no mention of the horror flick or its six sequels on its website.
Paramount, Spyglass Media Group, and Fun World did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
“Scream 7” will hit theaters on Feb. 27.
