New Line & Tolkien Finally Settle Lord of the Rings Litigation

Though the exact terms of the settlement were not released, THR reports today that New Line Cinema, the Tolkien estate, and publisher Harper Collins have finally settled the big lawsuit over profits from the Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. For those of you who aren't enraptured with the legal goings-on of Hollywood, the Tolkien estate had sued New Line for an approximated $150 million in damages last year for failing to pay the 7.5 percent of the gross they were contractually obligated to receive from the three films -- which, need I remind you, netted around $6 billion combined. Finally all Tolkien lawsuits are now settled!

Commenting on the settlement, Christopher Tolkien said: "The Trustees regret that legal action was necessary, but are glad that this dispute has been settled on satisfactory terms that will allow the Tolkien Trust properly to pursue its charitable objectives. The Trustees acknowledge ...