Lionsgate Entertainment Inc. filed court papers Friday alleging Starline Tours of Hollywood Inc. breached a contract to pay a $250,000 balance owed for the right to use imagery of the film “La La Land” in its bus branding.
The still unofficial Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit seeks the $250,000 allegedly still owed, plus interest.
A Starline Tours representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Starline operates tour buses to various Los Angeles sites, including Hollywood attractions and celebrity homes. Lionsgate maintains the parties entered a license agreement allowing Starline to use artwork, music and other elements associated with “La La Land” from June 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2020.
The 2016 film, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone and distributed by Lionsgate, received 14 Academy Award nominations, including best picture.
Starline agreed to make six $50,000 installment payments under the licensing agreement, but ceased turning over any money after the first remittance, Lionsgate alleges.
Lionsgate sent Starline written reminders that money was owed, but no additional payments were made and the plaintiff notified Starline in November 2018 that their agreement was over and that the balance was immediately due, according to Lionsgate’s court papers.
Lionsgate offered to mediate the dispute, but turned to legal action after Starline refused to participate, according to the Santa Monica company.