AceShowbiz - Lauren J. Salkin has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against Taylor Sheridan, Paramount, and NBCUniversal in California, TheWrap reports. She alleges that she submitted a pilot script and related materials titled Sovereign Nation to Sheridan’s production company back in 2016 and 2017, claiming that the subsequent hit series Yellowstone bears substantial similarities to her work.

Variety further notes that Salkin’s suit contends Sheridan reviewed her materials but declined TV projects at that time. Despite this, Paramount approved Yellowstone, which debuted on the Paramount Network in June 2018, within months after her pitch was rejected. The complaint identifies specific elements allegedly copied, including the centrality of a tribal casino as a political and development hub, disputes over expansion beyond reservation boundaries, and the use of trust land and long-term leases as plot devices. Salkin also highlighted that her original pitch suggested actors Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham for key roles—both of whom later appeared in Yellowstone in similar capacities. Justjared adds that the lawsuit names 101 Studios and Elevate Entertainment as additional defendants alongside Sheridan and the studios.

In her filing, Salkin clarified her claim targets the specific arrangement and expression of her story’s elements rather than general Western themes. The suit seeks an injunction to prevent further infringement and unspecified damages, including profits related to the Yellowstone franchise, and requests a jury trial.

This legal action emerges amid Sheridan’s ongoing projects with Paramount and his planned move to NBCUniversal starting in 2029. While the lawsuit centers on alleged idea theft from Salkin’s 2016 pitch, it also raises questions about creative ownership and industry practices in developing high-profile television dramas.

This article is based on reporting originally published by TheWrap.