Current Events > Alfonso Ribiero sues Epic for using Carlton dance in Fortnite

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https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/17/alfonso-ribiero-lawsuit-over-fortnite-carlton-dance/

It's no secret that Epic has patterned many of Fortnite's dance emotes on real-world moves, but that's increasingly landing the game studio in hot water. Mere weeks after rapper 2 Milly sued Epic(and 2K) for allegedly duping the Milly Rock, Alfonso Ribiero has filed his own lawsuit accusing the developer of copying Carlton's signature dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ribiero's attorney told TMZ that Epic mimicked the "iconic" swaying through its Fresh emote without asking permission or offering compensation. The TV star is in the midst of copyrighting the dance.

We've asked Epic for comment.

Whether or not the lawsuit prevails will depend on whether or not Ribiero can lay claim before the copyright process wraps up. With that said, there's no doubt that it's the Carlton dance (as if the name alone wasn't a giveaway) -- it even uses music reminiscent of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual." If the lawsuit does move forward, there's a real chance you'll either see a settlement or a relatively brief court battle.
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I think they stole Turk Turkletons dance to. Dont think he sued but he said "they jacked that shit".
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The articles admits that he doesnt even have it copyrighted, so he cant sue.

Didn't he copy the Carlton from Courtney Cox in a Bruce Springsteen video?

While I think Epic really should just credit where the dances come from I really dislike the idea of copyrighting a dance or movement.
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fortnite has every meme dance
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looked posted...

The articles admits that he doesnt even have it copyrighted, so he cant sue.

Registering the copyright only serves as a legal record of the copyright. It's not a requirement to have copyright in and of itself.
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I'm a little on the fence regarding whether or not they should have to compensate anyone for copying a dance from a tv show, but I encourage anyone to try and get some of that sweet sweet Fortnite money if they think they have a chance
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it's not unusual to be sued by anyone
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I guess he blew through all that Catch 21 money.
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Suing over a dance is so fucking dumb

It's a fucking dance.
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Is it really that hard to just credit the source in like the credits or whatever that nobody ever reads anyways?

I mean I don't know where in fortnite the credits are shown, but still
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Muffinz0rz posted...

Is it really that hard to just credit the source in like the credits or whatever that nobody ever reads anyways?

I mean I don't know where in fortnite the credits are shown, but still

this is like when someone uploads a full movie to youtube and puts "no copyright infringement intended!" in the comments
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Muffinz0rz posted...

Is it really that hard to just credit the source in like the credits or whatever that nobody ever reads anyways?

I mean I don't know where in fortnite the credits are shown, but still

These people have no interest in "credit"....they want a fat sack of free money.
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It never occurred to me you could copyright dance moves. Seems odd.

On the other hand, I hate Fortnite and love Carlton, so I hope he wins <_<
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He's not going to win that lol. Is he broke to sue over something trivial?
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fucknite is dumb but so is trying to copyright a dance
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Fortnite is literally printing money at this point, i doubt they give a shit. Theyre single handedly dominating the entire gaming genre at the moment
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Last I checked you can't just copyright a dance.

Wonder if he'll sue Valve next, TF2 has the dance and it's literally called "The Carlton".
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who posted
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Darmik posted...

While I think Epic really should just credit where the dances come from I really dislike the idea of copyrighting a dance or movement.

Very good point. What is someone wanted to copyright walking on your feet so all of us normies would have to crawl
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Spooking posted...

Uncle Phil needs to send Carlton to West Philadelphia to live with his aunt.

Uncle Phil is dead
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Did Michael Jackson copyright The Moonwalk?
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50Blessings posted...

Did Michael Jackson copyright The Moonwalk?

Yes
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Alfonso took it from a music video

Wouldn't this result in a *lot* of games being sued for dance emotes because virtually all of them use real-world dances?
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looked posted...

The articles admits that he doesnt even have it copyrighted, so he cant sue.

This.

Not only would the move belong to the owners of the show afaik, but it's quite obvious hes just now trying to copyright it simply because of the winning lawsuits. Bandwagoning or whatever.

I mean, fuck Fortnite/Epic, but theyre completely clear in this case.

Is Alfonso really that hard up for cash that he has to sue over the use of a dance he didn't come up with?
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This is why JoJo names get changed.

Im all for people suing Epic over this shit. Put these shits in the game for free.
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The Carlton Dance is racist af

Imagine if a white person did a stereotypical black dance.
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DoubleDare posted...

The Carlton Dance is racist af

Imagine if a white person did a stereotypical black dance.

Dances have races now?
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The Copyright Act provides in section 102(a)(4) for copyright protection in pantomimes and choreographic works created after January 1, 1978, and fixed in some tangible medium of expression.1 Choreography is the composition and arrangement of a related series of dance movements and patterns organized into a coherent whole.

https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/how-to-copyright-a-dance

The composition and arrangement of dance movements and patterns are copyrightable as choreographic works, provided they meet two criteria:

The dance must be your original work: it must originate with you and show some minimal level of creativity.

The dance must be fixed in a tangible object. This might include a film or video recording of the dance, or a precise written description in text or in a dance notation system. An idea for a dance is not entitled to copyright protection, nor is a dance that has been performed but not notated or recorded.

A dance does not have to tell a story or be presented before an audience to receive copyright protection.

I think Epic would've been fine using the dance had they not copied it 100% and monetized it.

Wildspark posted...

DoubleDare posted...

The Carlton Dance is racist af

Imagine if a white person did a stereotypical black dance.

Dances have races now?

Considering he said in interviews it was a dance mocking white people, yes
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Would he even own the rights to the dance given that he did it on a show? Usually stuff like that defaults rights to the showrunners.
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s0nicfan posted...

Would he even own the rights to the dance given that he did it on a show? Usually stuff like that defaults rights to the showrunners.

I believe he has the basic copyright to it since he created it himself. On the script, it only had "Carton dances". Registering it as a copyright is just another level for legality reasons.

His dance was inspired by Courtney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video and from an Eddie Murphy stand up, but it's enough to be differentiated from those.

CommonStar posted...

s0nicfan posted...

Would he even own the rights to the dance given that he did it on a show? Usually stuff like that defaults rights to the showrunners.

I believe he has the basic copyright to it since he created it himself. On the script, it only had "Carton dances". Registering it as a copyright is just another level for legality reasons.

His dance was inspired by Courtney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video and from an Eddie Murphy stand up, but it's enough to be differentiated from those.

Yea, but if he's work for hire than anything he produces on set would be owned by the studio because it uses their resources. It'd be the same for catch phrases and stuff like that. Sort of like how in the comic book industry none of the creators actually own anything original they create. Or how any work done on university computers is owned by the university by default.
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Fading celebrity grasping at relevance. Not shocking.
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I hope he loses and has to sped the rest of his money on legal fees. This is just a dick move. They gave a nod to his only shred of relevance and he acts like they stole his meal ticket.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he still does the dance in public for money. And now people think fortnite came up with it.
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s0nicfan posted...

Yea, but if he's work for hire than anything he produces on set would be owned by the studio because it uses their resources. It'd be the same for catch phrases and stuff like that. Sort of like how in the comic book industry none of the creators actually own anything original they create. Or how any work done on university computers is owned by the university by default.

I'm not sure it's quite the same. Honestly, I don't know. I'm interested to see the result of this.

Middle hope posted...

I hope he loses and has to sped the rest of his money on legal fees. This is just a dick move. They gave a nod to his only shred of relevance and he acts like they stole his meal ticket.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he still does the dance in public for money. And now people think fortnite came up with it.

Several of the people upset about their dances being stolen are upset because it was done without any nod to its origins or without even asking.
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Funkydog posted...

Several of the people upset about their dances being stolen are upset because it was done without any nod to its origins or without even asking.

I dont play fortnite but isnt the dance called the carlton in game?
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Middle hope posted...

I hope he loses and has to sped the rest of his money on legal fees. This is just a dick move. They gave a nod to his only shred of relevance and he acts like they stole his meal ticket.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe he still does the dance in public for money. And now people think fortnite came up with it.

I don't really think it's about giving a nod to his dance. It's more that they're monetizing it without giving him a piece of the pie.

Middle hope posted...

Funkydog posted...

Several of the people upset about their dances being stolen are upset because it was done without any nod to its origins or without even asking.

I dont play fortnite but isnt the dance called the carlton in game?

I dunno tbh. I had read that numerous of the people upset were upset because they weren't even credited or asked though.
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Funkydog posted...

Middle hope posted...

Funkydog posted...

Several of the people upset about their dances being stolen are upset because it was done without any nod to its origins or without even asking.

I dont play fortnite but isnt the dance called the carlton in game?

I dunno tbh. I had read that numerous of the people upset were upset because they weren't even credited or asked though.

Thats gennerally the problem.

People arent being Compensated Credited or even asked for dances they have direct ties too.

And in some cases (rapper jb bloc boy and rapper 2milly) this has directly effected their own brand.

It makes sense for everyone who also has any claim to a dance (Turk from scrubs Carlton and the flossin kid come to mind) to back them cause if jb and 2milly win they should win as well
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If Chris Farley was alive he could sue too.
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Is he going to sue Naughty Dog too?
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Can't trademark a dance.
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