Film Rights to First & Second Age

[Sauron the White]

davem -- it is your knowledge of Tolkien that I respect more than almost any other on this site. In your post you dismissed my ideas saying

Tolkien sold the rights to TH & LOTR & that's all. Sorry

And are not the Appendicies with its clear and unmistakable mention of The Silmarallion and events part of LOTR?

While I do not have access to the original sales contracts between JRRT and the film company - UA I think - I imagine it included all pages of LOTR which would be inclusive of the Appendicies. And that includes lots of material from the First and Second Age as well as much Third Age material not in the body of either THE HOBBIT or LOTR itself. Is it your opinion that the currents rights holder does not legally hold those rights from the Appendicies? And what legally would you base that view on if it is your opinion?