Harper Lee in 2007
Posted on 09/07/2013 7:03:10 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Harper Lee, the aging author of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has reached a settlement in principle on a lawsuit alleging she was scammed into signing over the copyright to her classic novel by an unscrupulous literary agent who took advantage of her failing hearing and eyesight, a lawyer in the case says.
Lee had filed suit in May against Samuel Pinkus and others — including disgraced journalist Gerald Posner — to reclaim the copyright.
However, dismissal papers were filed in Manhattan federal court today by Lee’s lawyer removing both Posner and Lee Ann Winick, Pinkus’ wife and another defendant, of any liability in the matter except picking up their own legal fees.
Meanwhile, Vincent Carissimi, a lawyer for the defendants, told the Post he expects the entire case to soon be dismissed as a settlement agreement has been reached in principle between Lee and Pinkus and the remaining defendants. He declined to discuss the specifics of any monetary award.
According to court papers, Lee — now 87 and living in an assisted-living facility — was for decades represented by the Mackintosh & Otis literary agency.
But after agency owner Eugene Winick fell ill in 2002, his son-in-law Pinkus allegedly diverted several clients to a new company, “and then engaged in a scheme to dupe Harper Lee, then 80 years old with declining hearing and eyesight,” into signing over her copyright for “no consideration.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Harper Lee in 2007
Same haircut as when she was known as “scout.” BTW, it looks like she cuts it herself!
Awww... To Kill a Mockingbird... one of my all-time faves... we named one of our dogs Harper Lee and her twin Truman Capote... because Harper Lee and Truman Capote were friends since childhood...
I loved the movie, can’t remember the book, but I read it. I am tired, though, of being constantly reminded of that era. THAT is why this book is such a big deal in America - it is used as a hammer to remind of us of how evil white people are. It gets tiring.
That’s a myth. Also, I don’t think Capote left too many “heirs,” lol.
My all time favorite book.
Gerald Posner is disgraced? I wondered what happened to him. Does that mean everything he’s written should be considered suspect?
I think there are a lot of books where the message is that white people are evil. I don’t think the message is that for “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Certainly not all white people in the book were painted as evil.
No, but that is why the book is shoved in children’s minds, to make a greater point.
Obama even did a special televised statement for a re-airing of it last year.
There was an attempt to get the movie to be an annual event - much as The Wizard of Oz was for baby boomers. Unfortunately, the ratings were dismal and it never happened. It’s a fine movie, though.
A real-life To Kill a Mockingbird happened just seven years ago in Durham, NC. It was called the “Duke Lacrosse Case.”
I think Zimmerman could relate
It’s disgusting that this book is still under copyright. Should be public domain quite a while back.
And Harper Lee owes you a free book because?
Among other things, there's a letter from Lee to Capote about a year before TKAM was published, asking if he will review a manuscript she wrote.
Among other things, there's a letter from Lee to Capote about a year before TKAM was published, asking if he will review a manuscript she wrote.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.