Kind Hearts and Coronets

(1949)

Douglas Canal + Image UK Ltd. v. Lutvak

Plaintiff – owner of the copyright in the film Kind Hearts and Coronets, a derivative work based on the public domain novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal — has sued to prevent Defendants from creating their own adaptation of the Novel. In short, Plaintiff allegedly seeks to assert monopolistic control over a Work that Plaintiff did not create, and which is indisputably in the public domain.

Judgment: Defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint in this action is GRANTED. Plaintiff’s motion to disqualify Defendants’ counsel is DENIED as moot.