SAN FRANCISCO (June 13, 2006) — The woman whose life inspired the 1983 movie “Flashdance” has lost another court bid to gain a copyright interest in the film, which has grossed more than $150 million domestically.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco affirmed Monday a lower court’s decision that Maureen Marder gave up her rights to the film when she signed a release with Paramount Pictures Corp. on Dec. 6, 1982, giving up her interest in the project for $2,300.
The three-judge panel noted in its ruling that the agreement, in hindsight, “appears to be unfair,” but said “there is simply no evidence that her consent was obtained by fraud, deception, misrepresentation, duress or undue influence.”
The judges also backed the lower court’s dismissal of Marder’s claims against Sony Corp. and Jennifer Lopez, who mimicked some of the film’s most memorable dance scenes in the music video for her song “I’m Glad.”
Marder was depicted onscreen by Jennifer Beals, starring in “Flashdance” as a construction worker by day and exotic dancer by night who aspires to join a prestigious dance school.
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