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HC US sues over Open Road e-book

28.12.11 | Bookseller Staff

HarperCollins US is suing digital publisher Open Road for copyright infringement after it published an e-book of Jean Craighead George's popular American children's book Julie of the Wolves, according to US press reports. However Open Road has insisted the author granted e-book rights to them.

Open Road, which was founded by former HarperCollins c.e.o. Jane Friedman (pictured) in 2009, published an e-book edition of the 1970s novel in October. 

HarperCollins said that its contract with the author, signed in 1971, gives it the exclusive right to publish the novel "in book form", including "computer, computer-stored, mechanical or other electronic means now known or hereafter invented." 

HC spokesperson Erin Crum said, in a statement, "Our contract with Jean Craighead George...grants us the exclusive digital rights to the book, and Open Road's e-book edition violates our rights  We intend to take all appropriate steps to protect our exclusive rights under copyright against infringement, in this case and in any instances that might occur in the future."

A spokesperson for Open Road said the digital publisher had been granted the e-book rights by the author and was "confident that the HarperCollins claim is without merit."

Over 3.8m print copies of Julie and the Wolves have been sold.

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