A jury ruled in favor of Disney in a copyright dispute involving the animated film *Moana*, dismissing claims that the movie infringed on screenwriter Buck Woodall’s 2011 screenplay *Bucky the Wave Warrior*. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged similarities between Woodall’s work and *Moana*, including teenage protagonists defying their families to save a Polynesian island.
After a two-week trial in Los Angeles federal court, jurors unanimously found Disney had no access to Woodall’s script, making further analysis of similarity unnecessary. A Disney spokesperson stated they were “pleased” the jury confirmed the film’s independence from Woodall’s works.
Woodall claimed he pitched his idea to a Disney-connected contact in 2004, but court records show Disney declined submissions. The company highlighted key differences: *Moana*’s protagonist is an Oceanian chief-in-training navigating ancient voyages, while Bucky is a modern-day U.S. teen focused on surfing.
A judge previously dismissed most claims due to statute of limitations, but one claim against Disney’s DVD division remained. Woodall’s lawyer called the verdict “disappointing” and plans to explore further action, including a separate lawsuit over *Moana 2*, which is ongoing.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/disney-wins-moana-trial-copyright-infringement-1236333590