Oh Dear Looks Like "Manners Don't Maketh The Man" as Fox are being sued over "Kingsman: The Secret Service"

I was just perusing The Hollywood Reporter's website this morning and I saw this and I have to say this did pique my interest.

According to The Hollywood Reporter's website Fox is being sued by a screenwriter named R. Spencer Balentine claiming that "Kingsman: The Secret Service" was not based on the comic book series "The Secret Service" which was first published by Icon Pictures in 2012 (a division of Marvel) and written by Mark Millar, but was in fact based on a screenplay he wrote in 2003 titled "The Keepers" that he entered into a screenwriting contest in 2004 and was placed in the top 10 which meant this work was considered for adaption as a comic book by Dabel Brothers Productions.

But R. Spencer Balentine also goes on to claim that because Dabel Brothers Productions in 2006 entered into a publishing and distribution agreement with Marvel this gave Marvel and the screenwriters for "Kingsman: The Secret Service" access to his work and used his ideas for this film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter's website in papers filed by R. Spencer Balentine's attorney Steven Lowe on the 09/02/18 with the Central District Of California Western District R. Spencer Balentine argues that:

"...several key aspects of the Film do not appear in "The Secret Service" comic that do appear (R. Spencer Balentine's) Screenplay; for example, in the comic there is no reference to Knights of the Round Table, no small dog companion to the protagonist, no use of holograms, and the general theme of the comic is about public service rather than an individual overcoming humble origins to achieve greatness..."

Also according to this same website R. Spencer Balentine claims that protagonists, mentors and antagonists all share striking similarities to his creations, ranging from upbringing and beverage choice to disdain for humanity and vulnerability to panic attacks.

R. Spencer Balentine is also claiming that the film and his screenplay have substantially similar plots, including candidacy for an elite secret organization, the kidnapping of state dignitaries and hologram-assisted meetings.

For this R. Spencer Balentine is seeking at least $5million in damages.