Oh NO!

[dreamflower]

Looks like New Line is in court again--this time with the Tolkien Estate!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080211/ap_en_ot/tolkien_lawsuit;_ylt=AtVhP1NqKNAhmsq57waW_E.s0NUE

This might derail The Hobbit!

What is the *MATTER* with those pointy-haired idjits at New Line?

Comments

[elandulin.livejournal.com]

Well, let it not be forgot that LOTR was the classiest thing New Line ever did. These are the guys, after all, who gave us Dumb and Dumber and--lest we miss the point--Dumb and Dumberer!

Peter Jackson made New Line look like the big leagues, but when push comes to shove, they revert to their street origins. I don't think they know HOW to conduct business without being shady.

As far as derailing The Hobbit, though, it might be a blessing if it did. I found Pan's Labyrinth to be dark, heavy, depressing and nihilistic, its magic significantly dimmed in the viewfinder. Perhaps the Tolkien Trust feels the same way and is bringing suit now to derail it. I find it odd that they dallied for 5 years with this payment thing; even people online who have had minor copyright issues with them know they strike hard and fast when they perceive trespass on their property. Look at Shirepost; they decimated it for a few little brass farthings. But they sat on royalties for 6 billion dollars for five years?

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, oh dear... that is the most depressing news I've heard all day. Ugh!

And it gets WORSE---it looks like New Line might be considering folding. While the article details are sketchy, I'm wondering if they're going to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to avoid the lawsuit. If so---that would be bad, very bad, for future movies by this particular studio.

I suppose The Hobbit could be made after New Line's rights to it expire.

[gayalondiel.livejournal.com]

As someone on my flist has already said the Tolkien Estate would sue a child for naming his lollipop Gandalf. *sigh*

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Everyone's greedy is the problem. :-(

[dreamflower]

You have a point there! On the other hand, they may have sat on the money from New Line to allow it to mount up to that 6 billion before they put in their claim!

Hmm...I keep getting mixed reviews on Pan's Labyrinth. Sooner or later, I guess I'll have to judge for myself. But I'm not fond of depressing...

New Line has managed to tick a *lot* of different people off.

[dreamflower]

Yes, well if *that* happens, who knows *when* that'll be! All the negotiations will have to be done over again!

[dreamflower]

*shudder*

I keep wondering when or if they are going to go after the fic archives...a very stupid thing to do, if they do, to tick off the people who spend the most money on the books and things...but lawyers are lawyers...

[dreamflower]

Yes, but who's the greediest here?

Either way, fandom loses.

[elandulin.livejournal.com]

Oy! Scullduggery!

Seriously, you need to see Pan's Labyrinth. I'd be interested in your opinion.