Authors lose Da Vinci Code appeal

Two authors who claimed that 'Da Vinci Code' author Dan Brown copied ideas from their book have lost their legal battle at the Court of Appeal.

Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh took their case - arguing that Brown had taken ideas and themes contained in the 'The Holy Blood And The Holy Grail', which was published in 1982, for his best-selling novel, which was published in 2003 - to the Court of Appeal after the High Court in London ruled in favour of Brown last year.

Baigent and Leigh had taken the case against publisher Random House - who published both books - last year, accusing Brown of copyright infringement, but the High Court ruled in favour of the US author.

Baigent and Leigh were ordered to pay 85% of Random House's costs - estimated at almost £1.3 million - as well as their own costs.

The costs of the appeal - estimated at around £300,000 for each side - will now be added to that bill.

Brown did not attend Wednesday's hearing.

Baigent and Leigh said that they were disappointed by the ruling.

(KMcA/JM)