CopyrightC.D. Cal.2:26-cv-01235

Spyglass Media Group LLC v. The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. d/b/a Alterian, Inc.

Summary

Spyglass Media sues Alterian over copyright infringement regarding film or media intellectual property rights.

Summary generated by AI from public docket data. Verify against the original filing before relying on it.

Deep summary (AI brief of the complaint)

# Case Brief: Spyglass Media Group LLC v. The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. **Case No. 2:26-cv-1235 (C.D. Cal., filed Feb. 6, 2026)** --- **Plaintiff:** Spyglass Media Group, LLC (producer/co-financier) and Paramount Pictures Corporation (distributor/co-financier) of the *Scream* franchise. **Defendant:** The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. d/b/a Alterian, Inc., a California special-effects and creature-design company based in Irwindale, CA. **Core allegation:** Alterian, despite knowing for decades that Fun World licensed the "Ghostface" mask for the *Scream* franchise, waited thirty years before threatening litigation—timed to extort a multi-million-dollar payment weeks before *Scream 7*'s February 25/27, 2026 theatrical release. Plaintiffs seek a judicial declaration that Alterian holds no enforceable copyright in the Ghostface mask and that laches and the statute of limitations bar any equitable relief. **Asserted IP:** - Alterian's claimed copyright in the "Wailer" mask design (no registration number stated) - Fun World's asserted independent copyright in the Ghostface mask design (no registration…

AI-generated from the filed complaint. Always verify against the original document.

Coverage vs reality meter

Coverage vs realityNo signal

Coverage events: 0P · 0D · 4N (13 articles)

Latest ruling: neutral (2026-05-13)

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time▲ plaintiff-favorable▼ defendant-favorable2026-02-02 · coverage 0P / 0D / 7N2026-02-09 · coverage 0P / 0D / 1N2026-05-04 · coverage 0P / 0D / 3N2026-05-11 · coverage 0P / 0D / 1N2026-05-18 · coverage 0P / 0D / 1NDocketFiled 2026-02-062026-04-07 · ruling · favors neutral ORDER GRANTING STIPULATED REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE [ECF NO. 16] by Judge Sherilyn Peace G…2026-05-08 · ruling · favors neutral MINUTE (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE DISMISSAL by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. I…2026-05-12 · ruling · favors neutral STIPULATION to Dismiss Case pursuant to Stipulated Dismissal with Prejudice pursuant to …2026-05-13 · ruling · favors neutral REPORT ON THE DETERMINATION OF AN ACTION Regarding a Copyright. (Closing) (Attachments: …Feb 26Mar 26May 26filingruling■ plaintiff■ defendantweekly coverage · docket events

Counsel of record

For the plaintiff
Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Docket no.
2:26-cv-01235
Nature of suit
Copyright
Filed
2026-02-06
Last filing
2026-05-13

Cause

28:2201 Declaratory Judgment

Entities in this case

The Alterian Ghost Factory2AlterianSpyglass Media

Parties

Does The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. Paramount Pictures Corporation Spyglass Media Group LLC

Docket entries

  1. #222026-05-13

    REPORT ON THE DETERMINATION OF AN ACTION Regarding a Copyright. (Closing) (Attachments: # 1 Dismissal) (iv) (Entered: 05/13/2026)

  2. #212026-05-12

    STIPULATION to Dismiss Case pursuant to Stipulated Dismissal with Prejudice pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) filed by Plaintiff Paramount Pictures Corporation, Spyglass Media Group LLC.(Moss, Aaron) (Entered: 05/12/2026)

  3. 2026-05-11

    No description on file

  4. #202026-05-08

    MINUTE (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE DISMISSAL by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. In light of the Status Reports, all pending dates are vacated, and the parties are ORDERED to show cause in writing, on or before June 10, 2026, why the Court should not dismiss these actions. Failure to file a response shall be deemed consent to dismissal. (iv)

  5. #192026-05-08

    SCHEDULING NOTICE AND ORDER by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. On the Courts own motion, the Status Conference set for hearing May 13, 2026, is taken off calendar. No appearance necessary. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (pg) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 05/08/2026)

  6. 2026-05-08

    No description on file

  7. #182026-05-06

    STATUS REPORT (JOINT) filed by Plaintiffs Paramount Pictures Corporation, Spyglass Media Group LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order)(Moss, Aaron) (Entered: 05/06/2026)

  8. #172026-04-07

    ORDER GRANTING STIPULATED REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE [ECF NO. 16] by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, re Stipulation to Continue, 16 : Having considered the Request, and finding good cause therefor, the Court GRANTS the Request and ORDERS as follows: 1. The status conference currently scheduled for April 15, 2026, is continued to May 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. 2. The parties shall submit a joint status report on or before May 6, 2026. 3. Defendant The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. shall file a response to the Complaint on or before May 9, 2026. (bm) (Entered: 04/08/2026)

  9. #162026-04-03

    STIPULATION to Continue Joint Status Conference, extend the deadline for the Parties to submit a joint status report and Extend the time for Defendants to Respond to the Complaint filed by Plaintiffs Paramount Pictures Corporation, Spyglass Media Group LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration, # 2 Proposed Order)(Moss, Aaron) (Entered: 04/03/2026)

  10. #152026-03-27

    MINUTE (IN CHAMBERS) ORDER SETTING JOINT STATUS CONFERNECE by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. Given the common issues of fact and law presented in these actions, the Court sets a joint status conference on April 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. to discuss case management. In each action, the parties shall submit a joint status report by no later than April 8, 2026, addressing whether the Court should consolidate these proceedings. (iv) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

  11. #142026-02-27

    STANDING ORDER upon filing of the complaint by Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett. (pg) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

  12. #132026-02-26

    Joint STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. answer now due 4/9/2026, re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 filed by Plaintiffs Spyglass Media Group LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation.(Moss, Aaron) (Entered: 02/26/2026)

  13. #122026-02-19

    NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT of MJDAP case from Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver to Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett for all further proceedings. Any discovery matters that may be referred to a Magistrate Judge are assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Brianna Fuller Mircheff. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judges 2:26-cv-01235-SPG-BFMx. (lh) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

  14. #112026-02-19

    Declination of Consent form received on 02/18/2026 was submitted within deadline set forth in L.R. 73-2.1. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (jm) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 02/19/2026)

  15. 2026-02-19

    No description on file

  16. #102026-02-18

    NOTICE of Related Case(s) filed by Plaintiff Paramount Pictures Corporation, Spyglass Media Group LLC. Related Case(s): 2:26-cv-01260 (Geller, Joshua) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

  17. #92026-02-18

    PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Spyglass Media Group LLC, Paramount Pictures Corporation, upon Defendant The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. served on 2/17/2026, answer due 3/10/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Brian M. Wheeler, Counsel to The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc. in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by service on a domestic corporation, unincorporated association, or public entity (Geller, Joshua) (Entered: 02/18/2026)

  18. #82026-02-12

    (IN CHAMBERS) Order by Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver: RE: DIRECT ASSIGNMENT TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE. The Clerk has issued a Notice of Assignment to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent form. The Court directs all parties served with this order to promptly review the Notice and Declination of Consent and L.R. 73. There are strict deadlines for a party to decline consent to have a Magistrate Judge preside over this case. If a declination of consent is not received by the applicable deadline, that party will be deemed to have knowingly and voluntarily consented to proceed before a Magistrate Judge for all purposes. See Order for further details. (edr) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

  19. #72026-02-12

    21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 as to Defendant The Alterian Ghost Factory, Inc.. (sh) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

  20. #62026-02-12

    NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to a U.S. Magistrate Judge and Declination of Consent. This case has been randomly assigned to Magistrate Judge Rozella A. Oliver. (sh) (Entered: 02/12/2026)

Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.

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View on CourtListener →Open in feed →Last updated 2026-05-13