Writer Accuses Taylor Sheridan of Plagiarizing TV Show Concept for 'Yellowstone'

In a legal battle brewing in California, writer Lauren J. Salkin has filed a lawsuit against Taylor Sheridan, Paramount, and NBC Universal, alleging that her original concept for a television series was appropriated for the hit show 'Yellowstone.'

The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims that Salkin pitched her show, 'Sovereign Nation,' to Sheridan’s management company, Elevate Entertainment, in 2016 and 2017. This project, which Salkin developed over a decade, focused on themes of tribal governance and economic power, mirroring elements found in 'Yellowstone.'

Salkin asserts that she received a response indicating that Sheridan was unavailable for new projects shortly before Paramount greenlit 'Yellowstone,' which premiered on June 20, 2018. The complaint highlights striking similarities, including plot points and character dynamics, suggesting that Sheridan’s series drew heavily from her materials.

In her suit, Salkin seeks damages and an injunction against further infringement, emphasizing that the core of her claim lies in the specific expressive choices she made in her work. Her attorney described the case as a classic David-versus-Goliath scenario, underscoring the significant financial success of 'Yellowstone' and its spinoffs.

Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com