Accuser drops 'Amistad' plagiarism suit

Chase-Riboud

February 10, 1998
Web posted at: 3:22 p.m. EST (2022 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A novelist who sued Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks studio for $10 million, accusing him of stealing her ideas for the movie "Amistad," announced Monday that the litigation had been dropped.

In a statement released by the studio, author Barbara Chase-Riboud said she and her lawyers had reviewed DreamWorks' files and other documents and evidence, and had concluded that "neither Steven Spielberg nor DreamWorks did anything improper."

"I instructed my lawyers to conclude this matter in a timely and amicable fashion," said Chase-Riboud, whose 1989 book "Echo of Lions," like the movie "Amistad," chronicles a real-life 1839 slave ship rebellion led by a Sierra Leone slave and the resulting landmark legal case, argued by John Quincy Adams before the Supreme Court.

"I think 'Amistad' is a splendid piece of work, and I applaud Mr. Spielberg for having the courage to make it," her statement concluded.

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The "Amistad" copyright infringement case, which was filed by October 16, created a media frenzy when plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction to halt release of the film about the slave rebellion.

The injunction was denied on December 8, two days before the movie's release date, by U.S. District Court Judge Audrey Collins.

Collins ruled that there was no conclusive evidence of copying, and that Chase-Riboud had not met the burden of proving likelihood of success on the merits at that early stage in the case.

During the court proceedings, DreamWorks insisted its movie is an original blend of history and the book "Black Mutiny," which DreamWorks owns the rights to. "Black Mutiny" was first published 36 years before "Echo of Lions."

Actress-choreographer Debbie Allen, producer of "Amistad," said she began working on the film before "Echo of Lions'" publication. And the film's credited screenwriter, David Franzoni, swears he never read Chase-Riboud's book.

DreamWorks said Monday it would have no further comment, including whether there was a monetary settlement with the novelist.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Judge refuses to block release of Spielberg's 'Amistad' - December 8, 1997
• Review: 'Amistad' a powerful but sinking ship - December 12, 1997
• Schools use 'Amistad' as study guide - December 10, 1997

Related sites:

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• Amistad (official site)
• The Amistad Research Center

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