Aaron H
11-17-2004, 10:16 AM
Lawsuit Filed Against Movie Mogul George Lucas Alleging Unpaid Royalties For the Novelization of 'Raiders of The Lost Ark'
A four million dollar lawsuit was filed on October 26 at the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael, California against LucasFilm, Ltd. ("Lucas")by two prominent Los Angeles attorneys on behalf of author Campbell Black. A hearing for this case is set for March 15, 2005 in Marin County court. (Case #CV044725).
The lawsuit alleges the filmmaker failed to pay Mr. Black royalties or provide a disclosure of earnings, an accounting, or any statements for a period in excess of 20 years since the inception of the worldwide best selling novelization of the film for which Mr. Black was commissioned.
Sources indicate Mr. Black, who now resides in Ireland, has retained the law offices of David Abrams (Encino, California) and Morris Getzels (Beverly Hills, California).
According to Mr. Abrams: “Initially I would like to believe this dispute originated because of sloppy bookkeeping and a lack of administrative organization within Lucasfilm. However, further review of the facts reveal when errors and discrepancies were brought to Mr. Lucas’ attention, instead of an apology and provision of a full accounting of earnings, LucasFilm stood steadfast and refused without explanation to give Mr. Black any information. Clearly LucasFilm believes they are too important to deal with one single author in a fair and fiduciary manner. Before filing suit every effort was provided to Mr. Lucas to settle this amicably. Mr. Black had no choice other than to file this suit".
More details (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prwebxml177085.php)
A four million dollar lawsuit was filed on October 26 at the Marin County Superior Court in San Rafael, California against LucasFilm, Ltd. ("Lucas")by two prominent Los Angeles attorneys on behalf of author Campbell Black. A hearing for this case is set for March 15, 2005 in Marin County court. (Case #CV044725).
The lawsuit alleges the filmmaker failed to pay Mr. Black royalties or provide a disclosure of earnings, an accounting, or any statements for a period in excess of 20 years since the inception of the worldwide best selling novelization of the film for which Mr. Black was commissioned.
Sources indicate Mr. Black, who now resides in Ireland, has retained the law offices of David Abrams (Encino, California) and Morris Getzels (Beverly Hills, California).
According to Mr. Abrams: “Initially I would like to believe this dispute originated because of sloppy bookkeeping and a lack of administrative organization within Lucasfilm. However, further review of the facts reveal when errors and discrepancies were brought to Mr. Lucas’ attention, instead of an apology and provision of a full accounting of earnings, LucasFilm stood steadfast and refused without explanation to give Mr. Black any information. Clearly LucasFilm believes they are too important to deal with one single author in a fair and fiduciary manner. Before filing suit every effort was provided to Mr. Lucas to settle this amicably. Mr. Black had no choice other than to file this suit".
More details (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/11/prwebxml177085.php)