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Tom Cruise never would've been flying high in 'Top Gun' or its sequel if it wasn't for a story that the films are based on, the rights to which have lapsed ... this per a new lawsuit.

Die-hard fans might already be aware of this -- but the original 'Top Gun' from '86 is based on an article written by a guy named Ehud Yonay ... who wrote a very detailed piece in '83 about fighter pilots in the Navy. Yonay says Paramount snapped up the rights at the time by brokering a deal with him ... and it's well-known the film is based on his story.

That copyright claim Paramount secured at the time had an exclusive ownership period of 35 years ... Yonay's widow and son say they sent Paramount a notice that terminated the studio's rights to the story in January 2020.

The family alleges that Part 2 -- which they insist contains elements of their late dad/hubby's original tale -- wasn't technically completed until May 2021, and they claim it's clearly derivative of Yonay's story.

The timing here is key -- several reports suggest filming for 'Maverick' wrapped in 2019 ... but it will be interesting to see if Paramount claims post-production was completed before January 2020, which the Yonays assert was the cut-off date if Paramount wanted to crank out another 'TG' based on the old license.

Anyway, due to the box office success of the sequel -- upwards of hundreds of millions, globally -- the family is now suing for an injunction to stop Paramount from infringing on the story and, of course, damages. We reached out to Paramount, no word back.

Benny The Butcher is doing his part in helping his Buffalo hometown move forward after a white supremacist gunman murdered 10 people at the local Tops Friendly Market grocery store in May.

Benny and his Black Soprano Family team linked with designers Kat & Nolan Cartwright for a limited edition t-shirt drop with 100% of the profits going to the Buffalo Survivors Fund.

The shirts, which honor all 10 victims with their names, are available now, retail for $40, and only 200 of them were made.

To further emphasize the moment, he also released the new single "Welcome To the States," a political rap record (that flips Kendrick Lamar's "We Cry Together") and details racism and even gives a subtle shoutout to Young Thug and Gunna's ongoing legal drama.

The shooting dampened spirits nationwide ... but particularly hit home for the Griselda rapper, who regularly shops there with his family, as it's only a few minutes from his home.

Because of the incident, his middle-school-aged daughter has yet to return to school.

You always hear about how bad airline food is — but this is a whole new level … yuck.

Check out this video posted by a man who says he hopped an American Airlines flight from Frankfurt to Dallas-Fort Worth last week — riding business class, no less — and found tiny little bugs crawling around in his salad.

The greens were packaged separately and wrapped in plastic wrap, and sure enough … there seems to be something, or things, squirming around in there.

The passenger griped ... “The business class was over $10,000 round trip and this is the quality of service. Food with live bugs being served and a staff that simply laughed it off and asked if I wanted a different salad.”

He tagged AA too, and they responded — saying they’d flag it to the appropriate team and that it would be addressed.

Next time, pack an extra protein bar. 🤢

Jay Cutler's getting one-upped in the post-divorce celebration department by his ex Kristin Cavallari ... who says Jay's got a lot of catching up to do, and also hints he's already violated their settlement.

We caught up with Kristin at LAX, and asked for her thoughts on finalizing the divorce from the ex-NFL star ... who commented about it this week on his "Uncut with Jay Cutler" podcast. Jay boasted about his bank account not really taking a hit in their divorce, and added, "When the settlement came through, I threw a party."

Well, Kristin was pretty much mum to our camera guy on the settlement. In fact, she told us she doesn't think she's allowed to discuss it ... hinting there's a non-disclosure agreement and Jay shouldn't be blabbing either.

Now, as for Jay being in party mode -- well Kristin didn't hold back on that topic. We asked if she'll throw her own post-divorce bash, and she said "I've been partying for 2 years straight" ... a not-so-subtle reference to the divorce filing in April 2020.

You'll recall ... Kristin and Jay called it quits after a decade-long relationship that started after they met at a Chicago Bears preseason game. They got married 3 years later and had 3 kids.

Step into Owen Wilson's shoes for just a moment, and imagine how it feels to walk out of your home to this scene -- your luxurious Tesla, freshly stripped by thieves! 😬

We got this shot of Owen's Tesla gently placed on blocks, after the crooks made off with all 4 tires and rims -- leaving him with no way to even drive his car to get it repaired. And, to make matters worse, it all happened while his car was parked right outside his Santa Monica house.

Luckily, the car didn't appear to have any other damages, but we're told he's gonna have to cough up an estimated $4k for the missing wheels. We're sure his insurance broker appreciates the paperwork.

TMZ broke the story ... Owen had parked his car on the street a few weeks ago, and when he went outside ... boom! Instant bummer.

Cops have opened a grand theft investigation, but so far no word on suspects.

A one-of-a-kind LeBron James Triple Logoman card -- which many experts consider the most coveted modern collectible in the world -- is hitting the auction block ... and we're told it could sell for OVER $6 MILLION!!

TMZ Sports has learned that the card, which features 3 NBA logo patches from jerseys worn by the King, is expected to rival the all-time record of $6.6 million -- which a wealthy collector paid for a Honus Wagner T-206 card -- when it hits the block at Goldin Auctions on June 8.

Just the fact the Bron card is being talked about in the same breath as the T-206 Wagner -- considered the "Holy Grail" of trading cards -- is pretty incredible, but to think the Logoman could go for nearly $7 million is insane.

“The LeBron James Triple Logoman card is the undisputed holy grail of modern cards,” said Goldin founder Ken Goldin.

The three NBA logo patches on the front of the card come from a Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers jersey ... each of James' three teams.

Triple Logoman cards are super rare ... only five were made by Panini as part of their 2020-21 "Flawless" collection. Only one LeBron TL exists.

The back of the card features a small certificate of authenticity ... and details LBJ's four NBA titles.

How badly do collectors want the card? Drake purchased 10 cases (at $46K each) as he attempted to track down the Triple Logoman Bron.

Drizzy -- who has gotten heavy into card collecting -- pulled several Michael Jordan rookie cards, but unfortunately, no dice on the LeBron.

Kobe Bryant's game-worn Lakers jersey from his first playoff series -- the only one publicly known/available -- just sold for a riiiiiiidiculous amount of money ... $2,735,546 million, to be exact!

The threads were on the block at SCP Auctions ... and after 26 bids, the purple and gold Lakers home jersey went for 7 figures.

As we previously reported, Bryant wore the jersey on at least five occasions ... including two home games during the 1996-1997 NBA playoff series against Karl Malone, John Stockton, and the Utah Jazz.

The playoff games were played on May 8 and May 10, 1997. On the 8th, the Lakers won 104-84. Bryant dropped 19 points in just over 19 minutes.

During game 4 on May 10, 1997, L.A. -- down two games to one -- was defeated 110-95. Mamba, who came off the bench that series, had a down game, scoring 9 points in 28 minutes.

It was some of the last losing Bryant -- who ultimately won 5 NBA titles -- would experience in the postseason.

SCP also had a rare -- likely one-of-one -- signed 1997 Precious Metal Gems Kobe card on the auction block ... which sold for over $403K!

The identity of the fan who put in the winning bid for the jersey is currently unknown ... but, we can confirm the person's wealthy.

In case it wasn't already clear, Justin Jefferson's good friend let everyone know the Vikings star is indeed the King of the Griddy ... by gifting the wideout a custom pair of 'Griddy' cleats last week!!!

"Jets" was given the awesome spikes by cleat artist I Am Luke Dangler at the receiver's first-ever Jets Youth Football Camp on May 28 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

TMZ Sports has learned Dangler brought the items -- which took around 40 hours to make -- as a thank you gift to Jefferson after the 22-year-old football player had extended him a special invite to the camp.

"How could I not show up with some show-stopping Griddy cleats?!" Luke told us this week.

The blue-painted Under Armour shoes are awesome -- they feature Jefferson in his #18 Vikings gear doin' the hip-hop dance on both sides.

They also have 'Get Griddy!' and 'Got Griddy?' inscribed on them ... and judging by the way Jefferson danced with kids at the camp in them, it sure seems like he loved 'em!!

"The cleats quickly became the center of attention," said Luke, who's made cleats in the past for Las Vegas Raiders stars Josh Jacobs and Johnathan Abram. "The kids went nuts for them ALLL DAYY LONGGG!"

"The Griddy is just so big," Luke added, "and it's all because of Justin Jefferson."

Jefferson wasn't the only one getting gifts at the camp ... the youngsters also got limited-edition Justin Jefferson Camp t-shirts, a group camp photo, and Chick-fil-A!

Kids are now in the (illegal) business of carrying out armed robberies -- at least according to cops in Michigan, backed by surveillance video that seems to show the smoking gun.

A 12-year-old was arrested this week out in Hartford, MI after local authorities allege he carried out a gas station stickup job on Wednesday ... all while firing off a warning shot inside the establishment to make sure everyone knew he meant business.

The horrifying moment was caught on tape, and it's about as dramatic as it sounds. The boy casually approaches the gas station clerk with a bag in one hand, and a gun in the other.

He demands that she throw whatever dough was in their register into the sack, and when the woman asks if he's serious ... he aims up at the ceiling and pulls the trigger, letting one go and freaking the lady out. She quickly does what he wants and hands him the stash.

The preteen accepts it and walks out ... as if nothing had happened. It wasn't long though before he was picked up by the police and charged with multiple felony counts -- including armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, and discharge of a firearm, among others.

GoFundMe is wasting no time in cracking down on pages trying to make money following the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial ... removing a phony $1 million campaign claiming to be raising money for Amber to pay Johnny's damages.

Shortly after the verdict, a fundraiser, created by someone named Kimberly Moore, was set up to help Heard. Moore claimed to have made contact with Heard's legal team and vowed Amber would have direct access to any money raised.

The page's description read, "I believe Amber, and social media protected the abuser. The judgment exceeds her net worth. It's so sad that he was able to get away with the abuse. The judgment furthers that abuse. If you can please help her."

However, a spokesperson for GoFundMe says they were able to flag the profile quickly -- before a substantial amount of money was raised. It was determined neither Amber nor anyone on her team had created the page ... and it was shut down.

We're told, the platform will continue to look for fake pages and act accordingly.

Of course, Heard's been ordered to pay Depp $8.35 million ... though her team had said it will appeal.

DeSean Jackson caught 9 TDs from Donovan McNabb in 2009 ... but he just revealed he had issues with the QB that year -- saying it's all because the former Eagles star made some remarks about his Pro Bowl selection.

Jackson sat down with LeSean McCoy, Brandon Marshall and Adam "Pacman" Jones to explain the situation on the latest "I AM ATHLETE" podcast ... saying his resentment toward the Philly signal-caller began after he earned a nod to the NFL's All-Star game in '09.

Jackson -- who was selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl as both a punt returner and a wideout -- says he overheard McNabb telling Eagles' then-backup QB Michael Vick that he didn't believe Jackson should've gotten the honor.

"When the ballots came out, and they found out that I was the first player in NFL history to get elected to start in the Pro Bowl for two positions," Jackson said, "my starting quarterback tells Michael Vick, 'Damn, I don't think he should've got that. He shouldn't have deserved that.'"

Jackson told the guys on the set the comment rubbed him the wrong way ... especially because he had logged 1,156 receiving yards on 62 receptions that season.

"Like, you're telling another quarterback, that your receiver -- that you throw to, your receiver -- that he didn't deserve that."

"That was crazy, bro," said McCoy, who was teammates with both Jackson and McNabb at the time.

Jackson -- who said he never addressed the comments with McNabb -- added he also had issues with the QB over the dude's spending habits ... calling him, "one of the most cheapest, richest motherf***ers you could know."

"He'd make you pay for everything."

Jackson, though, says he has "no beef" with McNabb these days ... and said the two are "cool."

Mariah Carey is allegedly, and ironically, a big scrooge ... she's being sued over her blockbuster Christmas jingle, with another artist claiming his song -- by the same name -- inspired hers.

Mariah is being sued for copyright infringement by Andy Stone, who says he co-wrote and recorded a song called "All I Want For Christmas Is You" a couple years before MC dropped her famous track with that title.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Andy claims he recorded his back in 1989 in Nashville, and says it got extensive airplay and even made it to the Billboard charts during the 1993 Christmas season, and he even filmed a music vid.

Problem for Andy is ... Mariah released her version in 1994, along with her own music video, and we all know what a massive hit that's become since then.

Andy claims Mariah and her camp never sought or obtained permission to use that title.

Now, while everyone knows Mariah's song, the fact is it sounds completely different from Andy's tune -- different lyrics, different melody ... outside of the title, they're inarguably not the same song.

TMZ broke the story ... Mariah's version is a true cash cow, recently breaking the billion streams plateau, and putting millions of dollars in her pocket annually.

Andy wants a piece of that pie ... he's going after Mariah for at least $20 million in damages.

Hard to see how this one holds up in court -- lots of songs have similar or even the exact same title, but hey ... Andy's going for it.

Drake is smoother than whiskey ... generously picking up the tab for two women from Detroit after swigging down a couple of shots with them!

In case you missed it, the 6 God went viral after schmoozing it up with a couple of ladies in the Motor City. We spoke with Brittney Keara, the woman who filmed the interaction, and she said Drake was as courteous as ever.

Brittney tells us Thursday she was enjoying happy hour with a friend at a local seafood restaurant when Drizzy strolled in with a couple of bodyguards.

We got new video of the interaction where Drake initially turns down Brittney's drink offer, saying he was heading to the airport for a flight ... but she says he ended up coming back to the bar and taking up the offer.

Brittney orders a shot of Jack, but tells us when the camera was off Drake upgraded her to a shot of Johnny Walker. Classy move. He also covered the tab.

The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial is still the hottest ticket in America even after the verdict -- folks who watched the drama unfold in person are hawking their wristbands.

TMZ combed through eBay and founds tons of listings for used spectator wristbands from the Fairfax County, VA courtroom where Johnny and Amber faced off ... and some sellers seeking nearly 4-figures for their laminated paper bracelets.

Here's a little perspective on the high prices -- one of the used wristbands, from day 23 of the trial, carries a price tag of $850. That's more than a wristband for Coachella!

That trial day, falling on May 26, was significant. That's when Amber was back on the stand, sobbing and detailing the death threats she said she was getting from Depp fans.

Most of the sellers are hyping up the "epic trial" in trying to hook a sucker buyer -- and they're also pushing the get a "piece of history" angle.

In the listings we've seen, there are prices ranging from $50 to $4,999 ... and the wristbands are all in "fair condition."

Some sellers are even trying to move wristbands from the overflow area, which wasn't even in the actual courtroom. But don't worry, they claim it's "great memorabilia" which allowed them to see Johnny and his lawyer Camille Vasquez in action.

As we first told you ... fans waited in hours-long lines for a chance to get one of the roughly 100 wristbands handed out daily for a seat in the main courtroom, or the 100-150 wristbands for the overflow area.

Screaming matches broke out in the lines and there was even a black market for wristbands where people were offering cash ... so it's not all that crazy to see these wristbands pop up on eBay.

As you know, Depp won the defamation lawsuit and Amber won her defamation countersuit, and her lawyer says AH can't pay the net judgment of more than $8 million.

Betty White's longtime home in Los Angeles where the Hollywood icon was living at the time of her death has sold for more than its asking price.

The 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom Brentwood property was listed at $10.575 million and sold for $10.678 million. The backyard comes complete with a swimming pool and beautiful views of The Getty Museum.

Sources connected to the sale tell us there were several offers on the home, and while it's not yet clear who the buyer was, we're told it's not another celebrity.

As we reported, those interested in the home first had to be prequalified, and were not allowed inside ... so almost safe to say it could be torn down for a new build.

Betty spent most of her life there, first moving in in 1968 -- and living there until her death on New Year's Eve 2021.

The music industry is a prehistoric artist trap that needs to end … so thinks Russ, arguably one of the most entrepreneurial-minded rappers the game has ever seen.

We caught up with the digital disruptor fresh off the heels of releasing his mini-movie "Handsomer (Remix)," which co-stars Snoop Dogg and Tiffany Haddish.

In March, Russ and his business partner Bugus launched their label DIEMON a.k.a. "Do It Everyday Music or Nothing" — an offshoot from a traditional record deal as their artists won't be held to crazy overheads and will be encouraged to have more authentic relationships with fans.

Russ called out labels for overcharging artists for services and even went as far as to say "digital marketing" — one of the most buzz-worthy terms in music — was all a sham.

According to his experiences, artists only sign to labels for the convenience of not wanting to handle their business affairs but Russ feels the DIY mantra can still be applied even without the giant corporation eating into your record and ticket sales.

Here's what's even more interesting … Russ openly admits his label deal wasn't a bad one, especially compared to some of the other contracts out there.

He owned his masters and didn't fall into the red with his finances.

But, he rather use his own money for a $300,000 video than have a label use his money for a $300,000 video — and then charge interest.