Loeb & Loeb Secures Jury Victory for DreamWorks in ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Case

Loeb & Loeb LLP won a defense jury verdict in Los Angeles Superior Court in favor of DreamWorks Animation (DWA) in a lawsuit alleging that the studio used the ideas of a tai chi instructor named Terence Dunn in creating the animated hit “Kung Fu Panda.”

Dunn sued DWA in June 2010 for breach of implied contract, alleging that he disclosed his idea for a martial arts panda bear named "Zen-Bear" to a DWA studio executive in November 2001 with the expectation that he would be included in any film project. After a two week jury trial, the panel found that DWA did not use Dunn’s Zen-Bear character or ideas in “Kung Fu Panda,” and issued a verdict in favor of DWA.

Loeb & Loeb's trial team was led by partners Jonathan Zavin and David Grossman, and included paralegal Linda Pettigrew.