I just read a news article discussing a lawsuit being brought against Dan Brown, the author of the very popular book, “The DaVinci Code”. The allegations are ridiculous. The suing parties wrote another book, “The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail” (Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh) which they say Brown used for the basis of his book. So what? I would think that authors get ideas and inspiration from their own life experiences, combined with their imagination; which may well have included reading said other book. The article doesn’t say if Brown sited the book as a reference or not, but I would imagine that a possibility. What bothered me most about the article is the mention that this law suit may delay the release of The DaVinci Code movie. I enjoyed the book and have been looking forward to the movie for some time. I’m certainly hoping this uncalled for lawsuit doesn’t cause that delay. What do you think about these allegations?
I haven’t read the book. I’ll probably see the movie, but probably still won’t read the book.
I’m a hoser, I know.
Indeed you are.
I think you’re all going to hell. Tom Hanks too.
Especially Tom Hanks ;o)
Coming from a music background I have a little different perspective on this. When writing music, my different musical influences are definitely going to have an effect on what I write. A particular song may come out sounding very very Tool’ish. Or on another day, very Beck’ish – and that’s ok as long as it’s not Tool or Beck outright.
After seeing several documentaries on the subject and interviews with the authors of both books, I can’t help but feel that the writers of Holy Blood, Holy Grail are more upset/secretly jealous over the outrageous success of Browns book vs. whatever sales they’ve pulled in.
Everyone wants a piece of the pie.
However, if Brown did pull direct references and uncredited research from their book, then yes, I’d be pissed too. In essence they would have done all the work, and he’d be reaping all the rewards.
It’s simply going to come down to them proving that just such a circumstance exists.
That being said, I’d be surprised if it delayed the movie. If I was the suing party in this matter, I’d want that movie ( and all subsequent box office profits ) to roll in as fast as they can so that I can swipe a piece of that pie as well.
Because thats how I roll
I believe this has been settled so the movie should be out on time! As for the whole thing about stealing the idea, even without the results it would have been VERY hard for someone to make those accusations unless they wrote a book that had roughly the same characters following the same clues to the same place. This is the beauty/danger of a novel based on historical rumors and theories. They have no more case to sue for plagerism than the Roman Catholic Church would for the use of Jesus in the book! Neither own the rights to the names or ideas.