US District Judge Donald Middlebrooks said Byzantium Productions Inc. was lawful in its production of two films, "Anna's Army" and "Russian Women's Tennis." The documentaries did not violate trademark laws, the judge found.

Jonathan Koch, a Tampa attorney representing Sharapova, said he initially believed there was potential for confusion among consumers that the films were official documentaries. As the litigation progressed, though, he said he changed his mind.

"As we investigated and as the controversy developed we concluded that the commercial significance of the matter did not justify being involved in a lawsuit," Koch said.

The decision means Byzantium, a two-man operation in West Palm Beach, can move forward with plans to distribute its work in Japan and elsewhere, though the filmmakers said the damage had already been done.