Supreme Court says movie studio can be sued over ‘Raging Bull’ copyright

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FILE - This 1980 undated handout file photo shows Robert De Niro as Jake La Motta in a boxing scene from Martin Scorsese\'s film "Raging Bull." The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a copyright dispute over the 1980 Oscar-winning movie "Raging Bull" can go another round in court. The justices said in a 6-3 decision that Paula Petrella, daughter of the late screenwriter Frank Petrella, did not wait too long to file her lawsuit against Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer claiming an interest in the film. (AP Photo, File)

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court says the daughter of the man whose work inspired the Oscar-winning movie “Raging Bull” can sue a major movie studio for copyright infringement.

The justices ruled 6-3 on Monday that Paula Petrella did not wait too long to press her claims against Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Petrella’s father, Frank Petrella, collaborated with legendary boxer Jake LaMotta on a book and two screenplays that inspired the movie. The elder Petrella died in 1981, with copyrights reverting to his daughter.

She sued MGM in 2009 seeking royalties from continuing commercial use of the film. But lower courts said she waited too long because she had been aware of the potential to bring a claim since 1991. The high court’s decision gives Petrella a chance to resurrect her lawsuit.

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