Harper Lee sues literary agent over copyright

The 87 year-old writer says the agent tricked her into assigning him the copyright on her classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird

Lee claims agent Samuel Pinkus took advantage of her failing hearing and eyesight to transfer the rights to secure himself 'irrevocable' interest in the income from her 1960 novel.

It has also been alleged that Pinkus failed to respond to offers on ebook rights and a request for assistance related to the 50th anniversary of the book.

Samuel Pinkus became Harper Lee's literary agent when her long-term agent, Eugene Winick, became ill in 2002. Pinkus, Winick's son-in-law, switched several clients to his own company, alleged Lee.

The lawsuit bids the court to return the rights owned by Pinkus to Lee, and return to the author any commission taken by him from the book since 2007.

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