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SorcererMickey
February 22nd, 2006, 01:20
Disney Settles 'Lion Sleeps Tonight' Lawsuit

Composer's Family Sued For Royalties

Click here for background story (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27152)

POSTED: 10:13 am EST February 17, 2006
UPDATED: 10:21 am EST February 17, 2006

If you had a song that earned more than $15 million in a popular movie, how much would you expect to get in return?

If you think that $15,000 is a bit on the low side, no doubt you would appreciate why the family of the composer of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" took Disney to court.

The BBC said relatives of Solomon Linda have accepted a settlement from Disney over the song, which was used in "The Lion King."

Linda composed the song in 1939 and sold the copyright the same year. He died in 1962 and lawyers for his estate said the copyrights should have reverted to his heirs 25 years after his death.

The British news agency reports the Linda family will get back-royalty payments, as well as the right to get future payments from use of the song.

Source: http://www.whiotv.com/money/7152170/detail.html

BevW
February 22nd, 2006, 02:09
It's only fair. I'm glad things worked out.