In November, Tolkien's heirs and and its book publisher HarperCollins filed an $80 million lawsuit that alleged that Rings/Hobbit producers including Warner Bros. had infringed the copyright in the books and breached a contract by overstepping their rights. The plaintiffs alleged that a decades-old deal only covered "tangible" merchandise, not stuff like slot machines.
The Saul Zaentz Co. has now brought counterclaims.
According to court papers filed earlier this month, Saul Zaentz Co. says that agreements struck in 1969 "impose no restriction whatsoever on the nature of the products, services, or businesses with with Zaentz's and its licensees' films may be associated, except for a limitation on certain print publications not at issue."
Zaentz also says that it and Warners have been exploiting online video games and gambling without objection for a long time -- and that in 1996, the parties confirmed rights to online video games.
A declaration that Zaentz has the right to use Tolkien marks in connection with games, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, ringtones and more is now being sought.
In addition, the countersuit includes a claim that the Tolkien estate has breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Read Full Document: http://www.scribd.com/doc/123187959/Rings-counterclaims
Read More... http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-docket-hobbit-slot-machine-417117
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