Angelina Jolie Lawsuit Heats Up as Lawyers Fight Over Private Information

Angelina Jolie 'Blood and Honey' Lawsuit Heats Up as Lawyers Fight Over Private Information

Forensic analysis of Jolie's e-mail, obeying the protocols of the Hague Convention, and figuring out protective orders are a few issues being discussed in an author's copyright lawsuit.

Attorneys for Angelina Jolie and Croatian author James Braddock have agreed to a 15-day trial beginning on January 29, 2014 in their dispute over whether the actress ripped off a 2007 book for her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey.

Attorneys for Angelina Jolie and Croatian author James Braddock have agreed to a 15-day trial beginning on January 29, 2014 in their dispute over whether the actress ripped off a 2007 book for her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey. If it goes to court.

Depending on how far this case goes, the dispute could get complicated thanks to Jolie's A-list status and the fact that the discovery process will happen both in the U.S. and in Europe.

Last December, Braddock sued Jolie, producer GK Films and distributor FilmDistrict weeks before In the Land of Blood and Honey hit theaters. The original complaint was filed in Illinois, but Braddock wasn't successful in showing why a federal court there had jurisdiction over the matter, so it was moved to California.

According to the original complaint, Braddock authored a book entitled The Soul Shattering. He says that on his travels to Sarajevo to promote his work and create awareness for Bosnian war victims, he met Edin Sarkic and allegedly discussed with him the possibility of creating a film adaptation.

According to a court document filed late last week in the case, Jolie's lawyer Harrison Dossick says, "The Parties recognize that discovery in this case will extend to information and witnesses located in Eastern Europe and elsewhere outside the United States, and therefore will require substantial planning, will necessitate service of process pursuant to the Hague Convention, and will be very costly and time consuming."

Jolie's attorney wants a strict confidentiality and protective order in the case.

Both sides say they haven't engaged in any settlement discussions as of yet. In fact, the lawsuit might expand before it goes away. Braddock's lawyer says he anticipates the need to add claims of unfair competition and false advertising. Jolie's lawyer believes there's no grounds to permit this.

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