World News
'Da Vinci Code' Author Sued for Plagiarising
By IANS
Feb 26, 2006, 16:54

Bestselling author Dan Brown, famous for his thriller "The Da Vinci Code", is facing a multimillion-pound trial, reports said Sunday.

Brown is charged with plagiarising the basic elements of his religious thriller from the 24-year-old specialist title "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh.

The pair, looking for at least 10 million pounds ($17.5 million) compensation, according to The Times newspaper, are launching their High Court action against Brown on Monday in London.

Best Selling Book by Dan Brown

Baigent and Leigh are not suing Brown personally as this would be difficult under British law. Their accusations of infringement of copyright are instead against Brown's US publisher Random House.

Brown is expected in court as a witness for the defence.

If Baiget and Leigh are successful, not only would further sales of the book The Da Vinci Code be jeopardised in Britain, but also the premiere of the eponymous film in the middle of May.

When the reclusive Brown, 41, who lives in the US state of New Hampshire and reluctantly appears in public, would appear before the court was not immediately known.

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