Writer sues Taylor Sheridan, Paramount and others, alleging Yellowstone stolen from 2016 pitch

Lauren J. Salkin filed a copyright infringement lawsuit on 22 August 2026 accusing Taylor Sheridan of lifting the concept for Yellowstone from her pilot script "Sovereign Nation," pitched to Sheridan's management company Elevate Entertainment in 2016. Paramount, 101 Studios, Elevate Entertainment and NBCUniversal are also named as defendants. Reps for Sheridan did not respond to Variety's request for comment.