Former Assistant Sues Wayans Brothers, Says They Jacked His Jokes
The Wayans Brothers got jokes, but a former assistant says they stole some of them, and he’s filed suit in Los Angeles federal court.
According to the Hollywood Reporter’s Hollywood, Esq. blog, Jared Edwards claims that while he worked for the Wayans he wrote jokes about women who target rich men, and unsuccessfully pitched a book about it. Keenen, Shawn and Marlon Wayans stole the jokes, according to Edwards, and used them in You Know You’re a Golddigger When… The book was published by St. Martin’s Press.
In addition to copyright infringement, the complaint states, the Wayans breached an implied promise to pay Edwards for use of his ideas. The trial is scheduled to start July 12.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Law Profs Explain Why Comics Don’t Sue Over Joke Thefts”
