Just weeks before the highly anticipated Scream 7 hits theaters on 27 February 2026, legal fireworks have erupted around one of horror’s most iconic symbols. Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group have filed a federal lawsuit in California against special-effects company Alterian Inc., seeking a court declaration that they own the rights to the classic Ghostface mask used throughout the Scream franchise.
The mask, a staple of the series since the original Scream in 1996, has become a cultural horror icon. Paramount and Spyglass argue that they properly licensed the design from Fun World, the original costume manufacturer from 1991, and that Alterian’s recent claims of ownership are unfounded. The studios allege Alterian waited far too long to assert any rights, invoking the legal principle of laches (meaning an unreasonable delay has prejudiced their claim).
Alterian has countered with its own accusations, asserting that it created a similar mask called the “Wailer” independent of Scream, and that Fun World appropriated the design without credit. The company is seeking substantial damages in its claim, though it has never previously taken legal action involving the Scream films or against Fun World.
Legal tussles over intellectual property are not uncommon in Hollywood, but the timing, just weeks before the launch of one of the year’s most-anticipated horror films, puts extra attention on the case. Both Paramount and Spyglass are pushing to have the court confirm their unambiguous right to use the mask ahead of Scream 7’s release, saying the dispute could slow promotional efforts if not resolved quickly.
Counted among horror’s most memorable visual trademarks, Ghostface’s mask is more than a prop, it’s an enduring symbol of the slasher genre itself. This lawsuit highlights how valuable such imagery has become, commercially and culturally, as films exploit nostalgia while selling fear.
As the studios await judicial clarification on ownership, fans are likely to be watching both the legal battle and the movie’s box office prospects when Scream 7 finally arrives in theaters later this month.
