"The Da Vinci Code" is on best seller lists for three years, and now moviwe is getting ready.
There is a court case that has perhaps as many twists and plot turns as the novel itself, the book's author Dan Brown is being called a thief.
There are two authors claim much of what's in "The Da Vinci Code" was their idea and was stolen from their book, "The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail", a work of non-fiction, first published 24 years ago. They're suing the publisher, for breach of copyright. Dan Brown, who wrote "The Da Vinci Code", will be a key witness. He has made a fortune off the book, selling 40 million copies, but denies he stole anything.
The 2 books do share common themes: that Jesus did not die on the cross, that he married Mary Magdalene, had a child, and that bloodline continues to this day. Both books are published by the same company, which issued this statement: ".... takes no pleasure in defending a legal action that it believes is without merit and we are confident we will prevail."
"In non-fiction, it's always been understood that there's no monopoly of ideas when something's out in the public domain. You can use it, you can adapt it," said a copyright law expert.
Publicity is good news for places like Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, setting of the book's climax. Visitor numbers have tripled. There are millions of dollars at stake. The movie's release in the UK could be delayed, and if the case succeeds, it could send a chill through the world of fiction.
Click here to visit the movie's homepage.
Click here to visit the About.com that gives background on the book and the theory.
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