Film director James Cameron is facing a lawsuit tied to “Avatar” more than three-and-a-half years after the blockbuster film came out.

Roger Dean is a U.K. artist whose trippy work has appeared on classic album covers for progressive-rock bands Yes and Asia. Last week, he filed suit against Cameron, claiming the landscapes of the fictional planet Pandora in “Avatar” too closely resemble his copyrighted artwork.

Dean says Cameron stole the designs for Pandora's floating mountains, stone arches, creatures and other elements from his paintings, in which he has used recurring designs and themes for more than four decades.

Dean seeks $50 million in damages.

Cameron's lawyer told the Wall Street Journal that his client “is the most original and creative person in motion picture business today” and “doesn't have to copy anything by anyone.”

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Film director James Cameron is facing a lawsuit tied to “Avatar” more than three-and-a-half years after the blockbuster film came out.

Roger Dean is a U.K. artist whose trippy work has appeared on classic album covers for progressive-rock bands Yes and Asia. Last week, he filed suit against Cameron, claiming the landscapes of the fictional planet Pandora in “Avatar” too closely resemble his copyrighted artwork.

Dean says Cameron stole the designs for Pandora's floating mountains, stone arches, creatures and other elements from his paintings, in which he has used recurring designs and themes for more than four decades.

Dean seeks $50 million in damages.

Cameron's lawyer told the Wall Street Journal that his client “is the most original and creative person in motion picture business today” and “doesn't have to copy anything by anyone.”

Read about more entertainment lawsuits on InsideCounsel: