Perhaps afraid that the Peter Jackson spec adaptation of Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones that was offered up for a studio bidding war on Monday might find its way into the hated, LOTR royalty-withholding clutches of New Line and be rushed into a competing production before someone ponies up eight figures for the rights, Jackson's lawyers have issued a friendly cease-and-desist note to an industry assistant tracking board that is sharing the script with its members. The c-and-d is now making the rounds on other tracking boards and popping up in inboxes around town, letting everyone know that Bones is for pre-approved eyes only:
Re: "Lovely Bones" Cease and desist from further copyright violations
To Whom It May Concern:
We are counsel for Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. It has come to our attention that a copy of our clients' screenplay "The Lovely Bones" has unlawfully been placed on this tracking board without the consent of our clients, whose copyrighted works are being illegally exploited. A secret id word has been imbedded [sic] in each copy of the screenplay and we are presently investigating the source of the leak and appropriate action will be taken.
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