Jessica Alba -- Sorry 'Honey' ... No Suit For You

As we first reported ... hip-hop dancer/teacher Honey Rockwell sued the studio for millions, saying she never gave them permission to make the movie that mirrors her life. She claims she busted out the "Honey" stage name more than 20 years ago ... way before its release.

But a judge decided her claims came too little too late and says the studio was protected by the First Amendment -- that means, no matter how bad it was, the movie was artistic expression.

Rockwell says she couldn't file sooner because she wasn't familiar with the film industry and didn't know who to sue ... the court said that's no excuse and decided she also doesn't own any rights to the name.