Disney Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Zootopia’

In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in California, writer Gary Goldman’s Esplanade Productions, Inc. says that Goldman pitched his idea for a “Zootopia” franchise twice, only to be rejected.

“Although The Walt Disney Company rigorously enforces its copyrights, it has developed a culture that not only accepts the unauthorized copying of others’ original material, but encourages it,” the suit reads.

According to the suit, Goldman pitched Disney his “Zootopia” concept in 2000 and 2009.

According to the suit, Goldman’s credits include the screenplays for “Total Recall,” “Big Trouble in Little China” and others.