Judge: Writer Must Pay Fox $40,000 for Claiming 'Alien vs. Predator' Stole His Script

"In an order granting Fox's motion for attorney fees, Judge Chin gives three reasons why Muller's claims were 'frivolous and objectively unreasonable.'

First, the stories were really different. The Lost Continent was about 'a government-led expedition to the Antarctic to investigate a mysterious structure below the frozen surface.' Second, the alleged similarities were ill-conceived. Muller tried to demonstrate '2000+ similarities' but many of the pairings were found to be not very similar. Third, and finally, to the extent there was similarities, Judge Chin found they were unprotectable. Many were stock themes instead of things one can actually copyright -- expression.

Fox then went after Muller to send a message to potential plaintiffs. The $40,000 award of attorney's fees continues a recent trend where studios fight back hard."

SEE: Hollywood Reporter