Kubrick argued that "Fail Safe"s own 1962 source novel, "Fail-Safe", had been copied from "Red Alert", to which Kubrick owned creative rights. He pointed out unmistakable similarities in intentions between the characters Groeteschele and Strangelove (although there is not a Strangelove character in the novel). The plan worked, and the suit was settled out of court, with the agreement that Columbia Pictures, which had financed and was distributing "Strangelove", also buy "Fail Safe", which had been an independently financed production. Kubrick insisted that the studio release his movie first, and "Fail Safe" opened eight months behind "Dr. Strangelove", to critical acclaim but mediocre ticket sales.