MONA LISA SMILE - ROBERTS' FEMALE MOVIE MUSICIANS WIN DISCRIMINATION CASE

Nineteen female musicians who played on the MONA LISA SMILE movie score have won $3,500 (GBP1,955) each in a legal settlement, after proving they were paid less than their male counterparts.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced yesterday (09AUG05) that producers of the JULIA ROBERTS-starring movie - Revolution Studios and Smile Productions LLC - settled the lawsuit but failed to admit they had unfairly paid their male musicians more than women for the same work.

EEOC trial lawyer STELLA YAMADA says, "Musicians have a hard time knowing where to go.

"We're happy for the females who came forward."