All the Major Lawsuits Involving Tyler Perry, Explained

Tyler Perry, a titan of modern Black entertainment, has spent much of his career building an empire rooted in faith, redemption, and self-made success.

But while the mogul has often made headlines for his philanthropic gestures and record-breaking achievements, he’s also been entangled in several legal disputes, ranging from copyright infringement to union controversies. Now, a new lawsuit threatens to eclipse them all.

Here’s a closer look at the major legal challenges Tyler Perry has faced over the years and what they reveal about the man behind the Madea brand.

2025: The $260 Million Sexual Assault Lawsuit

In June 2025, actor Derek Dixon filed a lawsuit accusing Tyler Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and creating a hostile work environment over a span of five years. Dixon, who held minor roles on Perry’s BET+ shows Ruthless and The Oval, alleges that Perry used his position of power to make inappropriate advances, both through messages and in person.

One of the most serious claims involves a January 2020 visit to Perry’s Atlanta home, where Dixon says he was sexually assaulted after being offered a guest room for the night. The lawsuit alleges that Dixon felt coerced into remaining on set for fear of retaliation and job loss.

Perry’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement to TMZ, his attorney Matthew Boyd called the lawsuit a “scam,” asserting that Dixon is attempting to extort Perry through fabricated claims.

This lawsuit is still in its early stages, but it already threatens to shake the foundations of Perry’s reputation as a moral and inspirational figure, particularly among his core audience of Black women.

2012–2013: Copyright Infringement Over Good Deeds

More than a decade before Dixon’s accusations, Perry faced a $225,000 lawsuit from author Terri Donald, who claimed that his film Good Deeds plagiarized her 2007 novel Bad Apples Can Be Good Fruit. Donald alleged that Perry’s team had access to her work and lifted key themes and ideas without credit.

The case was ultimately dismissed in August 2013, with the court ruling that any similarities were too general to constitute copyright infringement. The judge concluded that Donald’s ideas weren’t protectable under copyright law, a significant win for Perry.

2008: Writers Guild Labor Dispute

In 2008, Perry’s studio came under fire from the Writers Guild of America (WGA-West), which accused him of firing four writers who had sought union representation. The WGA filed an unfair labor practice complaint, calling Perry’s actions retaliatory and anti-union.

Though the case didn’t go to court, it was resolved when Perry agreed to sign a contract with the union, signaling a willingness to avoid public labor disputes going forward.

2009: Trademark Tensions Over Madea Parody

In another public controversy, Perry reportedly threatened legal action against Mo’ Money Taxes, a Memphis-based tax firm that aired a commercial parodying his famous Madea character. The ad featured a man in a wig and dress mimicking Madea’s voice and mannerisms to advertise tax services.

Perry’s team objected to the unauthorized use of the character’s likeness, leading the company to voluntarily pull the commercial. No lawsuit was ultimately filed, but the incident showed how fiercely Perry guards his intellectual property.

While Perry has largely emerged unscathed from past legal disputes, the recent $260 million lawsuit could mark a turning point. If the case proceeds to trial and the claims are substantiated, it may not only impact his production deals with platforms like Netflix and BET+, but also alter public perception of a man many have looked up to for decades.

Legal Challenges Timeline:

Year	Case	Outcome
2025	Sexual Assault & Harassment (Derek Dixon)	Ongoing — $260M suit pending
2012–13	Copyright Infringement (Good Deeds)	Dismissed — No copyright violation found
2008	WGA Labor Dispute	Settled — Signed union contract
2009	Madea Parody Dispute (Mo’ Money Taxes Ad)	Ad withdrawn — No formal lawsuit filed