Hobbits resort to LA litigation

Today's Telegraph reports that the Tolkien Trust, representing the interests of the family of Lord of the Rings author J.R. R. Tolkien is to sue New Line Cinema in Los Angeles for £75 million, claiming that the Trust has not received "even one penny" from the highly successful (£3 billion-earning) trilogy of Lord of the Ring films. The film studio is accused of "insatiable greed" and of engaging in the "infamous practice of creative 'Hollywood accounting'". Presumably as a means of negotiating an amicable settlement, the Trust is reportedly threatening to block production of the long-awaited prequel, The Hobbit.

Right: Counsel for the defence -- the IPKat gave him a ring but he was unavailable for comment

The IPKat is curious to see what happens here. Knowing (i) how much the Californian courts award even when, to the ordinary European, there appears to be little or no damage, and (ii) how greatly the Californians have sought to protect rights in fictional characters, he wonders why further claims were not also made in respect of hobbit stress syndrome. Merpel adds, "three books, three films ... and presumably we can expect three court battles too".

Lord of the rings here here
Ring cycle here
Cycle ring here
Tolkien on cats here