'Da Vinci Code' author wins court case

Dan Brown, author of the best-selling novel 'The Da Vinci Code', has won his court case against two authors who accused him of infringing copyright of their book.

Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, authors of the 1982 book 'The Holy Blood And The Holy Grail', had accused Mr Brown of breach of copyright. They said that the author had copied the 'central theme of their book for his novel, which has now sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

Both books are based on the theory that Jesus and Mary Magdalene married and had a child and that the bloodline continues to survive.

However, at the High Court today, Mr Justice Peter Smith rejected Mr Baigent and Mr Leigh's claims. They have been ordered to pay 85% of publisher Random House's costs, estimated at around £1.3 million.

They will have to make an interim payment of £350,000 by May 5 and have also been refused permission to appeal.

Random House published both books. Mr Justice Smith also said that Mr Baigent and Mr Leigh's book had benefited from increased sales from the publication of 'The Da Vinci Code', while both books had also seen a rise in sales during the course of the trial.

Speaking after the verdict was announced, Mr Brown said that the claim had been "utterly without merit". He also said that he was "still astonished these two authors chose to file this suit at all".

Gail Rebuck, Chief Executive of Random House, said: "Justice, and common sense, have prevailed. It is highly unusual and very sad that these authors chose to sue their publishers especially after 20 successful years."

There had been fears that if the ruling had gone in favour of Mr Baigent and Mr Leigh that the film adaptation of 'The Da Vinci Code', starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Sir Ian McKellen may have been delayed, but the film will now be released as planned on May 19.

(KMcA/SP)