Hillel Italie

October 04, 2004 | Law.com

Attorneys for the estate of John Steinbeck's widow are seeking to dismiss a lawsuit by the author's surviving heirs, who are alleging a "30-year hidden conspiracy" to cheat them of royalties and copyright control. The late Nobel laureate's son and granddaughter filed suit in federal court, seeking greater ownership of "The Grapes of Wrath" and other Steinbeck classics and monetary damages of at least $18 million.

By Hillel Italie

2 minute read

November 11, 2005 | Law.com

The indictment of I. Lewis Libby has had one unintended benefit for the former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney: The resurrection of his once forgotten literary career. Used copies of his 1996 novel, "The Apprentice," a thriller set in Japan that includes references to bestiality, pedophilia and rape, have been offered for as high as $2,400 on Amazon.com. Now, publisher St. Martin's Press has decided to bring the book back into print, announcing a new run of 25,000 copies.

By Hillel Italie

3 minute read

March 01, 2001 | Law.com

Random House is suing an e-publisher for selling electronic versions of Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle," William Styron's "Sophie's Choice" and six other titles. RosettaBooks CEO Arthur Klebanoff said Random House's suit for electronic rights to over 21,000 titles is based on Random House's claim that "a book is a book is an e-book."

By Hillel Italie

2 minute read

May 03, 2006 | Law.com

A Harvard University student's novel has been permanently withdrawn and her book deal canceled, publisher Little, Brown and Co. announced Tuesday, as allegations of plagiarism proliferated. The publisher pulled Kaavya Viswanathan's book, "How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild and Got a Life," after extensive similarities were discovered between it and two works by Megan McCafferty. Interest in used editions of the book remains strong enough that it was the No. 58 seller on Amazon.com on Tuesday afternoon.

By Hillel Italie

4 minute read

November 02, 2001 | Law.com

Her lawyer has dropped her. Reviewers have ignored her. Her books are not selling. While millions await the upcoming film version of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," N.K. Stouffer, author of "Rah and the Muggles" featuring Larry Potter, is pursuing her lawsuit against J.K. Rowling for allegedly stealing her ideas. But so far, the public clearly prefers Harry over Larry and Rowling's Muggles over Stouffer's.

By Hillel Italie

4 minute read

October 20, 2005 | Law.com

Just weeks after a leading authors' organization sued Google for copyright infringement, the Association of American Publishers has also filed suit against the search engine giant's plans to scan and index books for the Internet. In papers filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the publishers association sought a ruling that would support an injunction against illegal scanning.

By Hillel Italie

4 minute read

March 14, 2001 | Law.com

Harry Potter fans look out: Some new Muggles are coming to town. Or are they old ones? Children's novel "The Legend of Rah and the Muggles," first published in 1984, will be reissued. Nancy Stouffer's book includes "Larry Potter" and "muggles," little people who care for two orphans. Stouffer is suing J.K. Rowling, author of the popular "Harry Potter" series, for allegedly stealing her ideas -- including the "muggles."

By Hillel Italie

3 minute read

December 05, 2002 | Law.com

Random House Inc. has settled a lawsuit against an e-book publisher that was selling digital versions of Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle" and seven other popular titles. With rights to countless old titles at stake, the publishing industry had closely followed the case. But the settlement announced Wednesday leaves the issue unresolved, with the two sides essentially agreeing to work together rather than fight.

By Hillel Italie

3 minute read

November 02, 2010 | New York Law Journal

By Hillel Italie | The Associated Press

5 minute read