Franco, 36, said he was inspired by the writings of Charles Bukowski, on whom the film is based, and thought about the story idea independently, reported TMZ.
Writer Cyril Humphris, who owns the rights to Bukowski's autobiography, said back in 2009 he gave Franco the right to create a screenplay based on the book, but the option expired a year later.
Humphris had alleged Franco's movie was clearly based on the autobiography, meaning he ripped Cyril off. The Franco-directed 'Bukowski', which stars Josh Peck and Shannen Doherty, is expected to be released later this year.