Aussie publisher pulls Cruise biography
- Source
: abc.net.au
- Jan 15, 2008
- [Texte
intégral]
Publisher Pan Macmillan is refusing to release Tom Cruise, An
Unauthorised Biography in Australia because it fears legal action.
The book, by British author Andrew Morton, reportedly contains a number of
startling allegations - including that Cruise discovered his then-wife Nicole
Kidman was creating "problems in his life" after taking a Scientology course in
1999.
The book also compares Cruise's daughter Suri to Rosemary's
Baby.
Cruise's lawyers are said to be considering legal action against the book's
author and publishers.
In the United States, publisher St Martin's Press says it stands by Morton
and the book. They will release the book there later today, but will not be able
to sell it overseas.
But in Australia, publisher Pan Macmillan is refusing to release the
book.
Co-owner of Sydney's Gleebooks, David Gaunt, says they had been eagerly
awaiting the arrival of the book.
"Had Pan Macmillan had an injunction slapped on them after they'd released
the book, or a legal action had been made, then absolutely, without fail, they
would advise all booksellers to remove copies from their shelves," he said.
"This is different in that there is two publishers for this book and they're
both owned by the same company.
"One company appears to have pulled the book and the other one doesn't ... I
don't know what our legal situation is, but I would imagine that we would have
to be told formally, but we have had nothing."
Chief executive of Dymocks, Don Grover, says they will not stock the
book.
"Dymocks can choose to buy the book, but our view at the moment - which is a
commercial decision - is that it is subject, or will be subject, to a defamation
case," he said.
"Until that is cleared, we will not purchase the book for sale."
Pan Macmillan declined to be interviewed, saying only it had no comment.
Independent publisher Henry Rosenbloom says more and more larger publishing
houses are being scared off by possible legal threats.
"There's been a really chilling effect on the publication of current affairs
matters, for instance," he said.
"In each case, it virtually stops you from publishing a book that you think
runs a real risk of incurring a defamation action." |
