LORD OF THE RINGS - NO PUNITIVE DAMAGES FOR TOLKIEN'S HEIRS

NO PUNITIVE DAMAGES FOR TOLKIEN'S HEIRS

A Los Angeles judge has ruled the estate of LORD OF THE RINGS author JRR TOLKIEN cannot seek punitive damages against a film studio.
Tolkien's heirs claim New Line Cinema failed to pay any royalties from the estimated $6 billion (GBP3.26 billion) made by the three films based on his trilogy.
The lawsuit is seeking more than $270 million (GBP150 million) in compensatory damages over an alleged breach of contract.
But New Line argued that Tolkien's estate had to demonstrate a "public wrong" had been committed to claim punitive damages.
However, the estate has been permitted to seek compensatory damages based on breach of contract, fraud and other claims.
A trial has been scheduled for October 2009.