Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick had another big weekend, but the lawsuit Monday filed by the studio could have a negative impact on the movie.

The Family of the Author whose Article inspired the 1986 Original “Top Gun” article is being sued Paramount PicturesFor copyright infringement. The studio was accused of failing to acquire the rights to Ehud Yanay’s 1983 article “Top Guns.”

Shosh Yonay and Yuval Yonay are the heirs of Ehud Yonay. According to an LA federal court complaint, they sent Paramount notice in January 2018, stating that they intended to claim copyright rights in January 2020. “Maverick” started shooting in May 2018.

Also, the Yonays claim that Maverick did not end the production before the transfer of the copyright. It was in May 2021.

Maverick was originally scheduled for 2019 release, but it was later delayed until 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, multiple delays caused by this virus forced their release back several times. Paramount has not yet released the movie, although it’s unclear what date they finished. This timeline is likely to be critical as the case progresses.

Paramount representatives did not respond immediately to CNBC’s request.

Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages including profits from Maverick, and to prevent the studio from further distributions of the film. According to Comscore data, the film generated $546 million worldwide since its debut last month.

Marc Toberoff (intl property attorney) is representing the Yonays. Marc Toberoff specializes as an entertainment lawyer and can help artists in disputes over copyright with production companies.

He currently represents many comic book heirs seeking to terminate Disney’s complete rights to Marvel characters. The original writer of Friday the 13th, “Friday the 13th,” is also represented by him. They are locked in an unresolved battle for Jason Voorhees.