'Scream' studios sue over rights to Ghostface mask

Alterian Ghost Factory, a Los Angeles special effects studio, has threatened copyright litigation against Spyglass and Paramount Pictures as Scream 7 nears its February 27th release. The films' producers responded by filing a suit in California federal court seeking an order that would bar Alterian from suing and establish that the production companies are on solid legal ground.

The suit recounts how the Ghostface design was discovered in a Northern California home being scouted as a filming location and then licensed from Fun World, which had manufactured and sold the mask since the early 1990s. Alterian contends Fun World had no right to license the mask because Alterian created the underlying design first.

Producers say Alterian “intentionally slept on its purported rights in the iconic ‘Ghostface’ mask used throughout the Scream franchise for thirty years.” Paramount adds that the dispute is essentially between Fun World and Alterian and argues Alterian surrendered any potential ownership by failing to act.

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