Stockholm, 2011-12-12 22:07 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conan Properties International (“CPI”) has reached a settlement with the defendants in a lawsuit regarding infringement of the Conan rights. The lawsuit came about when Underwood Books published the art book “Sword’s Edge: Paintings Inspired by the Works of Robert E. Howard”, with illustrations by Manuel Perez Clemente, also known as Sanjulian. A lawsuit was filed against several parties involved with the publication as it includes stories and illustrations owned by CPI, which were used without permission.
In the settlement, the Defendants (Underwood Books, Tim Underwood, Spectrum Fantastic Art, Arnie Fenner, Cathy Fenner and Sanjulian) acknowledge that Conan stories, parts of which were included in “Sword’s Edge”, are still protected by copyright in the United States, and that CPI owns around 100 Conan trademarks worldwide. The Defendants also acknowledge that illustrations by Sanjulian, which were used as covers on paperbacks published by Charter/ACE, are owned by CPI. After having received compensation for already sold copies, CPI has allowed Underwood Books to continue to sell remaining copies of the infringing work.
This was the third successful copyright infringement lawsuit for CPI in the Central California Federal Court in the last couple of years. In 2009, publishing houses Orion and Prion were sued for copyright and trademark infringement. Both cases were settled in 2010 as the two publishers acknowledged their infringement on CPI’s rights.
CPI was represented by Frederick Fierst of Fierst & Kane LLP, and Sacha Emanuel of Case Knowlson LLP.
About Paradox Entertainment
Paradox Entertainment manages and develops its rights library by generating revenue from all forms of entertainment, including motion picture, television, gaming, publishing and toy industries. The Company’s library consists of such well-known brands as Conan the Barbarian, Kull of Atlantis, Solomon Kane, Mutant Chronicles, and the works of Robert E. Howard. Paradox Entertainment also represents third-party property owners expanding their IP into a variety of licensing categories. In addition, the company produces, co-produces and co-finances motion pictures aimed at the global market. The business is mainly carried out by Paradox Entertainment Inc., based in Los Angeles, California, USA. The shares of parent company Paradox Entertainment AB (PDXE, SE0000598054) are quoted on NASDAQ OMX, in the First North Premier segment. Erik Penser Bankaktiebolag acts as Certified Adviser. Read more about Paradox Entertainment on http://www.paradoxent.com.
Fredrik Malmberg
President & CEO
Tel: +1 (323) 655-1700, Mob: +1 (310) 663-3214
E-mail: fmalmberg@paradoxent.com
Joakim Zetterberg
Director of Publishing / Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (323) 655-1708, Mob: +1 (310) 623-2918
E-mail: jzetterberg@paradoxent.com