Taylor Sheridan Accused of Stealing 'Yellowstone' Idea From 2016 Series Pitch

Taylor Sheridan has been sued for alleged copyright infringement over the origins of Paramount Network’s breakout series “Yellowstone.” Virginia-based writer Lauren J. Salkin filed the lawsuit Friday in California against Sheridan, Paramount and NBCUniversal, claiming she developed the foundational concept from a 2016 series pitch she said was titled “Sovereign Nation.” She alleges she submitted a pilot script and materials in 2016 and 2017 and was told the production company reviewed them but Sheridan was unavailable, citing an Elevate Entertainment note. “Yellowstone” received a green light months later and premiered in June 2018. Salkin seeks an injunction and unspecified damages, including franchise profits.