Nicci Gilbert Grows Frustrated As She Waits For Court Date Over Copyright Infringement Case Against ‘P-Valley’ Creators: Watching This Show Season After Season Feels Like I’m Being Punched In The Face

Nicci Gilbert Grows Frustrated As She Waits For Court Date Over Copyright Infringement Case Against ‘P-Valley’ Creators: Watching This Show Season After Season Feels Like I’m Being Punched In The Face

The announcement that P-Valley will return for a third season may have been good news for fans, but for Nicci Gilbert, it’s a slap in the face.

The Brownstone singer appears frustrated with the lack of progress in her copyright infringement case against Lionsgate. In January, Nicci Gilbert alleged that Lionsgate stole the idea for a show that she pitched them, “remixed it” and renamed it P-Valley. As of now, no official court date has been announced. So as Nicci Gilbert waits, the 51-year-old let off a bit of steam online.

She posted,

“I was hoping to shift my focus to music, hoping I wouldn’t have to have #PValleyStarz litigation thrown back in my face so soon. Watching this show season after season feels like I’m being punched in the face over and over and having to pay people to make it stop.”

In her caption, she added,

“These people want me to stop talking about this …But imagine how you would feel…I’ve been clenching my jaw since 2020 behind this obvious IP infringement JESUS BE A COURT DATE”

The news and excitement around P-Valley have probably been a lot to take in for Nicci who feels that she played a huge role in creating its premise.

Since Nicci filed the lawsuit, P-Valley has premiered and wrapped its sophomore season. With a reported weekly average of 10.3 million viewers, the show triggered many debates and discussions online related to homosexuality, suicide, and domestic violence.

Most recently, Starz announced that Nicco Annan (“Uncle Clifford”), Elarica Johnson (“Autumn Night”), Brandee Evans (“Mercedes”), Shannon Thornton (“Miss Mississippi”), J. Alphonse Nicholson (“Lil’ Murda”) and the gang got the greenlight for season 3.  However, the show’s creator Katori Hall did mention it would be a while before the show returned.

Could the lawsuit be the reason for the hiatus? It makes fans wonder, especially as Nicci’s posts seemingly allude that she is ready for battle.

She previously told TheJasmineBrand why it was important for her to take her case to court,

“The reason I decided to go forward…I realized that young women have to not be afraid, creatives have to not be afraid. It’s the court’s decision…but I truly believe that I deserve to be heard.”

In her civil suit, Nicci is seeking actual and statutory damages, as well as a jury trial. Both Lionsgate and Starz declined to comment on the matter so far. However, showrunner Katori Hall previously claimed the P-Valley is based off of her 2015 play of the same title.

What do you think about Nicci’s case? Tell us in the comment section below.