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Times to Stand Trial This Month as Sarah Palin Libel Suit Heads to Jury * How the Supreme Court Could Shake Up Disney’s Spider-Man Plans * United States v. Facebook: What Hollywood Has at Stake View All August 15, 2014 12:54pm * Share on Facebook * Share on X * Share to Flipboard * Send an Email * Show additional share options <#> * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on Reddit * Share on Tumblr * Share on Whats App * Print the Article * Post a Comment Homer Simpson Hologram Comic-Con Draws Patent Lawsuit (Exclusive) The new fight is just the latest in 25 years of a cast vs. Fox. PR NewsFoto/Jamster/AP * Share on Facebook * Share on X * Share to Flipboard * Send an Email * Show additional share options <#> * Share on LinkedIn * Share on Pinterest * Share on Reddit * Share on Tumblr * Share on Whats App * Print the Article * Post a Comment Logo text Leave it to Homer Simpson to get 20th Century Fox into trouble for allegedly violating a patent. On Thursday, *Alki David*‘s Hologram USA filed a lawsuit that claims a 3D representation of the famous Homer at this year’s Comic-Con convention in San Diego infringed its patented system to project three- dimensional images onstage. The plaintiff has sued before — most notably targeting a *Michael Jackson* re-creation at the Billboard Music Awards. David is also doing battle with Pulse Entertainment over his patent demands. But Hologram USA claims to hold rights to a new version of a 19th century stage trick called “Pepper’s Ghost,” which the company says was famously used to create the late *Tupac Shakur* performing at the 2012 Coachella Music Festival. Related Stories Matt Groening TV 'The Simpsons,' Matt Groening Honored as "Icon of Animation" at Annecy (clockwise from top left): 'Zootopia 2,' 'Fixed,' 'Animal Farm,' 'Elio' Movies Indies and Icons, Tentpoles and Oscar Contenders: Annecy at 40 Sets the Animation Agenda On July 26 at Comic-Con, those associated with /The Simpsons / showed up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show and promote the new Simpsons World app , allowing fans to watch any episode of the show they want anytime. The lawsuit recounts a 45-minute panel discussion with the show’s creator, *Matt Groening *, executive producer *Al Jean* and others. Near the end, Groening introduced Homer to the stage. Fox put the moment up on YouTube. (Find it below.) When Homer Simpson makes a joke about registration at Comic-Con, Groening replies, “I don’t care. I get my free ticket from the hologram of Tupac Shakur.” “As with the Simpson hologram, the Patented Technology was used to create the Tupac Shakur hologram,” states the lawsuit (read here ). “Unlike the creators of the Tupac Shakur hologram, however, Defendants did not obtain a license or any other authorization to use the Patented Technology for the Performance.” *James Brooks*‘ Gracie Films also is a defendant in the case. The plaintiffs, including Musion Das Hologram and *Uwe Maass*, are seeking damages for willful infringement. A spokesperson for Fox says, “This filing is totally without merit and we have no comment except to say that once again, Mr. David has demonstrated his insatiable need to remain relevant.” The lawsuit comes months after /The Simpsons/ featured the issue of piracy in an episode. After being caught by a friend pirating a movie and given some direction, Homer responds, “Theaters? All I need to see this movie is a laptop and a website based in a country that’s really just an offshore oil platform.” /Email: Eriq.Gardner@THR.com Twitter: //@eriqgardner / You May Like 10 Interesting Facts About Earth's Oceans Read More About: * 21st Century Fox * Matt Groening * The Simpsons THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up More from The Hollywood Reporter * The Wall Street Journal Sky News’ David Rhodes, Dow Jones CEO Talk AI “Thugs,” Media’s “Big Mistakes,” U.S. Press Freedom * international Global TV Producers On Navigating Trump’s Tariff Storm: “Ignore the Distractions” * ABC News Terry Moran Out at ABC News * Banff World Media Festival Trump’s Trade War Plot Twist May Be a Hollywood That Looks for Even More Co-Productions * Theater Broadway Box Office: ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ and ‘Othello’ End Runs on New Highs * GreenSlate Hollywood Payroll Firm GreenSlate Shakes Up Leadership THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Email Address Subscribe Today Sign Up By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . 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