Disney has emerged victorious after a long and bitter legal battle over its popular animated film, Moana. A Los Angeles federal jury decisively ruled on March 10, 2025, clearing Disney of the copyright infringement claims brought by writer and animator Buck Woodall, who alleged the entertainment giant had plagiarized his work entitled Bucky the Surfer Boy.
The jury’s verdict, reached after just two and a half hours of deliberation, confirmed Disney’s assertion: the creators of Moana, directors John Musker and Ron Clements, had never seen or heard of Woodall’s work during the film’s development process. This conclusion effectively put to rest Woodall’s demand for $100 million in damages, based on claims of theft of ideas and characters.
At the heart of Woodall's case was his contention, initially filed on January 10, 2020, claiming Disney had taken elements from Bucky the Surfer Boy, which included similar themes of adventure, Polynesian culture, and demigods. Woodall's work, which he had shared with his relative, Jennifer Marchick, who worked for Mandeville Films—located on the Disney lot—had supposedly reached Disney through her, according to his narrative.
During the trial, Woodall's attorney, Gustavo Lage, painted the situation as one involving significant parallels between the two works, stating, "There was no Moana without Bucky." Lage put forth various similarities, such as the use of demigods and quests entangled with Polynesian lore, arguing these elements were so numerous they could not be mere coincidences.
Conversely, Disney's counsel, Moez Kaba, countered these claims by stressing the creativity and extensive development background behind Moana. “Moana was clearly the creation and crowning achievement of the 40-year career of John Musker and Ron Clements,” he stated emphatically, dismissing Woodall’s allegations as based on broad literary themes rather than specific copyrighted elements. Kaba also highlighted the significance of their research and inspiration, which included island culture and mythology, but also stemmed from their own travel experiences and creative processes.
The jury's decision hinged primarily on the question of access: whether Disney had ever seen Woodall’s material. They concluded it had not, allowing them to bypass the need to evaluate the likenesses between the two stories. Marchick testified, “I never showed it to anyone at Disney,” distancing herself from claims of sharing Woodall’s work. This testimony, combined with extensive evidence presented by Disney showing their independent development process, was pivotal to the jury's ruling.
Prior rulings had already posed challenges for Woodall’s claims. A judge previously determined his initial lawsuit against Disney was filed too late for him to receive any financial recompense from the success of Moana, which grossed nearly $700 million globally. Now, Woodall is prepared to pursue separate litigation concerning Moana 2, which has reportedly grossed over $1 billion worldwide since its release.
“We’re disappointed. We’re going to review our options and think about the best path forward,” said Woodall’s lawyer, his statement tinged with frustration as they assessed their next legal moves. With the jury's verdict leaning heavily toward Disney, the odds may not favor Woodall's forthcoming pursuit.
The outcome of this case not only impacts Woodall and Disney but also raises broader questions surrounding copyright law, creativity, and originality within the animated film industry. The debate continues over how creators can protect their ideas and what constitutes fair use as cultural narratives intersect.
With Disney's legal troubles ostensibly settled for now, they continue to solidify Moana as one of their flagship franchises and prepare for any future installments. This legal battle has illustrated the fierce protection game surrounding creative works and the challenges of proving copyright infringement, especially when dealing with broad cultural themes and common storytelling tropes.
While Woodall may still have aspirations to chip away at Disney’s successful franchise, the stunning financial performance of Moana and its sequel positions Disney firmly within the winner’s circle. The studio has displayed its resilience and capability to withstand legal scrutiny, thereby reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s leading entertainment corporations.