Paramount and Spyglass Sue Alterian Ghost Factory Over Ghostface Mask Rights
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass have initiated legal action against special effects studio Alterian Ghost Factory, centering on the ownership and licensing rights of the iconic Ghostface mask. This distinctive element is a cornerstone of the Scream film franchise. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Alterian from pursuing copyright infringement claims against the studios and to affirm their right to use the mask. This dispute emerges at a pivotal time, ahead of a potential future release of Scream 7.
The legal action aims to prevent Alterian Ghost Factory from suing the studios and to confirm their legal right to use the Ghostface mask.
The Legal Battle Unfolds
Lawsuit Filed in California
Paramount Pictures and Spyglass filed their lawsuit in a California federal court. The studios are seeking a court order to prevent Alterian Ghost Factory from suing them and to solidify their entitlement to use the Ghostface mask. Alterian's representative, Brian Wheeler, has indicated the studio's intention to file its own complaint in response.
In their complaint, Paramount and Spyglass allege that Alterian "intentionally slept on its purported rights" regarding the mask for three decades, suggesting a significant delay in asserting any claims.
Origins of the Ghostface Dispute
Three Decades of Licensing
The Ghostface mask's inclusion in the Scream franchise dates back to the very first film, when a producer discovered it during a location scout. Following this discovery, the production team secured a license for the mask from Fun World, a costume company that has been producing and selling it since the early 1990s. This licensing arrangement has consistently been in place for every film in the franchise over the past 30 years.
Alterian Ghost Factory, however, asserts that it created the original design for the mask. They contend that Fun World lacked the authority to license it to the film productions. Fun World, in response to Alterian's claims, has stated it hired a Hong Kong-based sculptor decades ago under a work-made-for-hire agreement to develop a new line of Halloween masks.
Paramount and Spyglass argue that the primary dispute lies between Fun World and Alterian.
Core Arguments and Demands
Studios' Defense Strategy
Paramount and Spyglass maintain that the primary dispute concerning ownership truly lies between Fun World and Alterian. They further contend that Alterian forfeited any potential claim to Ghostface ownership by not taking action, despite being aware of Fun World's widespread licensing agreements for decades. The studios have explicitly informed Alterian that any claims of mask ownership are barred by the statute of limitations.
It was reported that in July 2024, Alterian sent demand letters to Fun World, alleging infringement on its copyright to the mask's designs. More recently, Alterian is reported to have increased its demands, threatening a lawsuit unless it received a payment in the millions of dollars.
Precedent and Potential Impact
Prior Rulings
A 2020 federal court ruling concerning rights to the mask offers a relevant legal precedent. That ruling found that a separate individual was time-barred from asserting a claim because they were aware of Fun World's licensing as early as 1996.
Scream 7 in Limbo?
The ongoing lawsuit introduces an element of uncertainty regarding the future release of Scream 7. While one source reported a potential release "later this month," another specified a scheduled release date of February 27, 2026. The full impact of this legal dispute on the film's production or its eventual release date remains undetermined.
About Alterian Ghost Factory
Alterian Ghost Factory has a notable history of special effects work in the film industry. Their previous contributions include films such as The Return of the Living Dead, Zombieland, and Hocus Pocus.