Olivia de Havilland Loses Legal Battle Against FX & 'Feud'

Oscar-winning actress Olivia de Havilland‘s defamation lawsuit against FX Networks has been thrown out by a three-judge panel in the court of appeals.

The legendary actress sued the network, alleging that she was defamed by a damaging portrayal in the Ryan Murphy limited series Feud. She says the producers never asked permission for the portrayal or consulted over the events that happened in the show.

The court unanimously ruled that the First Amendment protects filmmakers who portray real events with fictionalized elements.

“Whether a person portrayed in one of these expressive works is a world-renowned film star — ‘a living legend’ — or a person no one knows, she or he does not own history,” Justice Anne Egerton wrote (via Variety). “Nor does she or he have the legal right to control, dictate, approve, disapprove, or veto the creator’s portrayal of actual people.”

FX received support from the Motion Picture Association of America as a ruling in de Havilland‘s favor would give celebrities and politicians the right to shut down any films about their lives.