Harper Lee Files Lawsuit to Reclaim “To Kill a Mockingbird” Copyright

Harper Lee, the celebrated author of To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel that won the Pulitzer Prize, is now suing a relative of her former agent, Eugene Winick, for rights to her only published work. Lee filed a lawsuit in New York on Friday in order to secure the copyright to her acclaimed work. “To Kill a Mockingbird” has sold 30 million copies worldwide and is considered a classic.
The person accused of taking advantage of Harper Lee, Samuel Pinkus has not been reached for comment and would not answer calls. He is accused of transferring book rights to himself in order to secure “irrevocable interest” in the income from Lee’s seminal book.

Taken advantage of

To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960. Lee has been represented since then by her agent who eventually became ill ten years ago. Upon his illness, he assigned all his responsibilities to his son-in-law.

Lee who is how 87 years old relates an incident that occurred seven years ago. She reiterates that the son-in-law of her former agent, Samuel Pinkus took advantage of her failing eyesight and hearing, which led to the book’s copyright being transferred to him. He has repeatedly failed to respond to license requests, so the author has decided on this current course of action.

A consummate winner

Aside from winning the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, To Kill a Mockingbird was made into a film that won three Academy Awards in 1962 including Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Gregory Peck.

The film adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel received a total of eight nominations including Best Picture. The novel is now required reading in schools.

Harper Lee is currently residing in Monroeville in Alabama, the place that inspired her to write her acclaimed novel. She often declines interviews and does not appear in public.