Christopher Tolkien at it again....

[davem]

Well, you've probably all seen this already via TORn

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...dispute-184053 "JRR Tolkien Estate Settles Dispute Over Novel Featuring Tolkien As Character "

After the Tolkien estate learned of the book, it sent Hilliard a cease-and-desist letter, threatening a lawsuit if he didn't cease publishing the novel and destroy all copies.
According to the settlement, the book will now be released with a modified reference to Tolkien on the cover and will also include the disclaimer, "This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed nor connected with The JRR Tolkien Estate or its publisher."
As a result of the settlement, Hilliard is dismissing his lawsuit in Texas.
"The settlement terms are confidential, but the agreement adequately addresses the Estate's concerns about Mr. Hillard's book," says Aaron Moss, attorney for the Tolkien Estate.

So the Estate have gone from

" threatening a lawsuit if he didn't cease publishing the novel and destroy all copies."

to

"a modified reference to Tolkien on the cover and will also include the disclaimer, "This is a work of fiction which is neither endorsed nor connected with The JRR Tolkien Estate or its publisher."

Which looks to me very like the Estate backing down after Hillard called their bluff. Clearly they never had a leg to stand on legally but expected Hillard to back down in the face of their threats. Maybe others who have been on the receiving end of their bullying should stand up to them as well?