The LA Times reports that Blair Witch Project 'partner' Sam Barber will be allowed to pursue a complaint against the movie's distributors, Artisan Entertainment. Barber claims that he acted as executive producer onthe film, but did not receive a screen credit.
On Tuesday District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall ruled against an appeal by Artisan to refuse to allow the claim, which Barber can pursue under the Lanham Act, which outlines unfair competition. Barbers lawyer explained, "The court endorsed the theory that removal and omission of a screen credit can under appropriate circumstances support a claim for a violation of the federal unfair competition statute." Barber claims that the project was originally developed by himself, Witch co-director Dan Myrick and producer Gregg Hale, and that the trio agreed to be partners. He alleges that after he had pumped money into developing and promoting the film, Myrick and Hale pushed him out.