Tyler Perry Sued Over “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” ”

by Linda Hobbs

A woman has filed a copyright infringement suit against filmmaker Tyler Perry, claiming she wrote the hit 2005 film “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”— not him.

Perry must appear in court this week. According to KSLA News 12, Perry’s company Tyler Perry Studios, and Lionsgate Entertainment, were also named in the suit which was filed by Donna West May 2007. West is seeking all profits made from “Diary” as well as damages.

West says she wrote a story called “Fantasy of a Black Woman” in 1990. She got a copyright for the film in 2006. Perry’s lawyers said that West has no grounds to sue because she didn’t register her work until after the allegations. “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” debut February 2005.

Opening arguments begin December 3 at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Marshall, Texas.