Or no Hobbits at all...

[davem]

Originally Posted by Quempel

I was under the impression Tolkien sold all his rights to LoTR, so why is the estate getting anything at all?

This report has more detail http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...4S35.DTL&tsp=1

Main point is:

The lawsuit claims J.R.R. Tolkien established a trust through which he signed a film deal in 1969 with United Artists. After Tolkien's death, his heirs created the charity in the author's name.