The Tolkien Estate and New Line Cinema have reached a tentative settlement in the court battle over money from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy of films that have grossed around $3 billion. TheOneRing.net message board member Voronwë_the_Faithful has written to give us the absolute world-wide scoop. He managed to mine a great nugget of information from the L.A. Superior Court and has written the following:
“A tentative settlement has been reached in the case. The parties have filed a stipulation that explicitly states that ‘the parties have entered into a binding term sheet settling this matter, which term sheet is subject to certain necessary ratifications, which may take up to several weeks to obtain.’
“In other words, a settlement has been reached, but it needs to be approved by certain unnamed individuals/entities. I’m sure it is a complicated settlement, and I’m relatively sure that it includes specifications to ensure that payments are made on the Hobbit films, so I assume that one of the ratifications needs to come from Warner. Continue reading “Exclusive: Tentative settlement reached in Tolkien v. New Line, it appears that ‘The Hobbit’ movie is safe”
A LEGAL battle is under way between the Oxfordshire family of JRR Tolkien and the Hollywood giant behind the new Hobbit film, it emerged last night. The heirs of the Tolkien estate, including the author’s daughter Priscilla Tolkien, 80, who lives in Wolvercote, claimed they have not been paid “even one cent” of the millions of pounds owed to them from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is believed the three films generated almost $3bn in box office receipts and another $3bn in DVDs and merchandise sales. More..
Voronwë_the_Faithful, our resident message board legal brain, posted today about some developments in the lawsuit between the Tolkien Estate and New Line. Keep in mind this is simply one person’s opinions but they are an interesting read by somebody who understands the law and can explain it simply. It starts, “New Line has now filed a motion for summary adjudication of the plaintiff’s cause of action seeking the right to terminate New Line’s future rights to make the Hobbit films (or other Tolkien films). In other words, they are asking to have that claim be dismissed entirely.” Continue reading “Big news regarding the Tolkien/New Line legalities”
Philip writes: I just noticed that the Tolkien Estate website has been updated recently, mainly having to do with the publication of The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún. Although they’ve been promising to fully update the website for some time now, they are now saying the full website will launch “later in 2009.” More…
LOS ANGELES — Members of “Lord of the Rings” creator J.R.R. Tolkien’s charitable trust won two victories in court Friday in their lawsuit against New Line Cinema claiming it is entitled to profits from the blockbuster trilogy. Trust officials allege the film company cheated them out of at least $150 million from the blockbuster movie trilogy based on the late British author’s books. The London-based Tolkien Trust filed its lawsuit Feb. 11, 2008. The most significant ruling for the Tolkien heirs during Friday’s status conference came when Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ann I. Jones set a March 3 deadline for both sides to exchange documents. Deadline Issued to Produce Documents for LOTR Lawsuit
Stephen writes: The Tolkien treasures discovered in Poole, Dorset England go on Display on the 15th November at Hazael Design, unit 12 Mill Lane Wimborne. The Lord Mayor to open the launch at 11am. See the postcard written to J R R Tolkien discovered laying behind a fireplace for 40 years. Also the fireplace, Griffin, cast fairy, cast candlesticks, stone face man, stone WOODRIDINGS sign and ornate wardrobe doors. Competion to win a mirror made from the wood reclaimed from “WOODRIDINGS” J R R Tolkiens former home.
