Did Beyonce squeeze the idea for “Lemonade” from someone else’s work? That’s the claim of a new lawsuit filed Wednesday.
In the suit, North Carolina filmmaker Matthew Fulks claims that the trailer for “Lemonade” and the subsequent HBO film infringe on his short film “Palinoia.”
Fulks claims that he completed “Palinoia” in 2014, and that his film and the “Lemonade” trailer have substantial similarities, “including, but not limited to, the ‘Palinoia’ work’s visual and auditory elements, visual and auditory sequence, themes, format, mood, setting plot and pace, all of which create a protectable total concept and feel.”
According to Fulks, “Palinoia” depicts “the pain of a tumultuous relationship.”
The suit claims that Columbia Records, also named in the suit, would have had access to “Palinoia” since Columbia’s senior vice president of video production Bryan Younce had received an email containing a link to the film.
A spokesperson for Beyonce has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Fulks alleges copyright infringement and seeks unspecified damages.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.