The original lawsuit over 2016’s Moana ended with a jury finding that the filmmakers had not accessed Buck Woodall’s materials—not a ruling that the two works were dissimilar. A separate complaint filed over Moana 2 makes new allegations, but its current court status has not been verified as of October 8, 2026.
Two lawsuits, with different records
The phrase “Moana copyright lawsuit” can refer to two different actions brought by Buck Woodall. The first concerned the 2016 film Moana and went to trial on a narrow question about access to Woodall’s work. The second is a separate complaint alleging that Moana 2 copied elements of his project.
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| Action | What it concerns | What the available record establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Original case | Woodall’s Bucky outlines and screenplay, and the 2016 film Moana. | A jury found on March 10, 2025, that the filmmakers had not accessed Woodall’s materials. Most of the original claims had already been dismissed as time-barred. |
| Separate sequel complaint | Woodall’s allegation that Moana 2 copied elements of his project. | The complaint, filed January 10, 2025, requests damages and an injunction. A complaint records allegations and requested remedies, not findings of fact. Its current procedural status has not been verified as of October 8, 2026. |
What the jury decided in the original Moana case
The verdict was about access
The remaining issue tried to the jury was whether the creators had access to Woodall’s Bucky materials. On March 10, 2025, the jury found they did not. The Associated Press reported that deliberations took about two and a half hours.
The jury did not decide substantial similarity
Access and substantial similarity are distinct questions in a copyright case. Because the jury found access had not been established, it did not need to decide whether Moana and Woodall’s work were substantially similar. The verdict therefore should not be described as a finding that every aspect of the two works was dissimilar.
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- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
After the verdict, Woodall’s attorney Gustavo Lage told the Associated Press, “Obviously we’re disappointed.” Disney said it was “pleased that the jury found it had nothing to do with Plaintiff’s works.” That statement was attributed to the company, not to a named individual.
Why most of Woodall’s original claims did not reach the jury
Woodall filed the original federal action in April 2020. In a November 1, 2024 summary-judgment order, the court found his trade-secret, fraud and false-promises claims time-barred under a three-year limitations period. It also found copyright claims against defendants other than Buena Vista Home Entertainment time-barred.
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As recounted in a May 14, 2026 sanctions order, the court found that Woodall suspected infringement after seeing Moana in theaters in December 2016, but did not file suit until April 2020. The limitations rulings narrowed the original case before trial; they were separate from the jury’s later finding on access.
The court’s fees and sanctions after the original case
In rulings reported in 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California awarded Disney $1.6 million in attorney fees for defending the trade-secret claims and $54,000 in costs for copyright defense. Disney had sought an additional $3.9 million in copyright-defense costs, which the court did not award.
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The court also sanctioned Woodall’s attorney Gustavo Lage $476,000. Courthouse News reported that the judge cited bad-faith conduct, including a forged confidentiality agreement and continued litigation of claims the judge had found time-barred. These are case-specific awards and sanctions, not measures of copyright litigation generally.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the Moana 2 complaint alleges—and what is known about its status
Woodall filed a separate complaint on January 10, 2025, alleging that Moana 2 copied elements of his project. He requested damages and injunctive relief. Those statements are allegations in a complaint; the filing itself does not establish that copying occurred.
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The available case information does not verify whether that separate action remains pending, has been resolved or has changed status since filing. It would therefore be inaccurate to describe it as currently active or resolved without checking the current court docket.
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- Walt Disney Animation Studios? animated musical reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After hearing from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey into long-lost waters for an adventure. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.
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