Claiming there are many similarities between her 2006's 'The Nocturne' and Stephenie Meyer's fourth book, Jordan Scott seeks to stop Meyer and 'Twilight' series publisher from making it into a movie.
- Aug 5, 2009
AceShowbiz - Author Stephenie Meyer has been hit by a plagiarism claim for her fourth "Twilight" novel, and further legal action of the matter seeks to prevent "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn" from being developed. A copyright lawyer representing writer Jordan Scott, who claimed many "Breaking Dawn" plot lines resemble her 2006 vampire tale "The Nocturne", revealed the intention to MTV.
Stating that Scott doesn't look for any compensation from Meyer or her publisher, Little, Brown & Co., which is part of the Hachette Book Group, Craig Williams stated that his client seeks for acknowledgment of the similarity and a cessation of the circulation of the book in addition to stopping the book from being adapted into a movie. "We also want to stop them from making it into a movie and profiting from her [Scott's] work," so the lawman stated.
TMZ was first to report that Jordan Scott has sent a cease and desist letter to Hachette Book Group, claiming that the fourth book in the "Twilight" series contains "striking and substantial" similarities to the book she began writing when she was 15. [Spoiler Alert!] In the letter, the 21-year-old musician/author provided comparisons from the two books of a wedding, a post-wedding sex scene, a woman becoming sick because she's carrying a child with "evil powers".
"It's very close and highly unlikely that it's a coincidence," Williams who filed the C&D order noted. "Jordan has asked that we draft a complaint and a motion for a preliminary injunction [against Meyer's publisher]." In another statement explaining that Scott has regularly posted passages and chapters of her book on JordanScott.com, he added, "We seek an admission from Ms. Meyer that our client's copyright was infringed and that 'Breaking Dawn' and all derivative works be discontinued."
Meanwhile, a representative for Meyer has responded to the plagiarism claim in a statement via MTV. "The claim that 'Breaking Dawn' by Stephenie Meyer somehow infringes on an alleged book by someone named Jordan Scott is completely without merit," it read. "Neither Stephenie Meyer nor her representatives had any knowledge of this writer or her supposed book prior to this claim. Ms. Scott's attorney has yet to furnish us with a copy of the book to support this claim as requested."
"The world of the 'Twilight Saga' and the stories within it are entirely the creation of Ms. Meyer. Her books have been a phenomenal sensation, and perhaps it shouldn't be surprising to hear that other people may seek to ride the coattails of such success. This claim is frivolous and any lawsuit will be defended vigorously."
Stephenie Meyer fansite, Twilight Lexicon, went on further, providing the actual dates when both books are copyrighted. While "The Nocturne" was copyrighted in 2008, Meyer's "Forever Dawn", the original title for "Breaking Dawn", was legally filed in 2004.
"The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn" will be the adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's fourth "Twilight" book. Like the two other "Twilight" movies, "The Twilight Saga's New Moon" and "The Twilight Saga's Eclipse", this book follows the romantic story between mortal girl Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen. There is a say that Meyer believes this fourth film should be two movies, while rumor has it, the movie version of the book may be split up into 3.
