A Federal Judge In New York Ruled That The Fox Entertainment Group Inc. Series “Touch” Doesn’t Violate The Copyright Of Author

A federal judge in New York ruled that the Fox Entertainment Group Inc. series “Touch” doesn’t violate the copyright of author Everette Hallford.

Hallford previously claimed that the television show unlawfully copied his screenplay “Prodigy,” which centers on an autistic boy and an investigative journalist.

The suit, filed last March, also named several other defendants, including Kiefer Sutherland, who produces and stars in the show.

U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III dismissed the case and found that the show wasn’t substantially similar to either Hallford’s screenplay or an earlier novel, “Visionary.”

Hallford plans to appeal, said his lawyer, Joseph Nohavicka, a partner at Mavromihalis Pardalis & Nohavicka LLP in Astoria, New York. In a telephone interview, Nohavicka expressed disappointment in the ruling, while saying, “Judge Pauley listened very carefully during the arguments.”

Fox lawyer Jonathan Zavin, a partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, didn’t return a call seeking comment on the ruling.