special coverage

Sullivan Entertainment vs. Heirs of L.M. Montgomery

In October 2003, four years after filing their defammation suit, the Heirs of Lucy Maud Montgomery and Sullivan Entertainment finally went to trial. Arguements and testimony were heard from October 28 till November 29, with closing arguements heard in December. On January 19, 2004, the judge hearing the case dismissed the lawsuit.

• CBC Arts News: Green Gables Defammation Trial Opens (10/28/2003)
• Globe and Mail/Canadian Press: Montgomery heirs rigged press conference (10/28/2003)
• Toronto Star: Family intended to harm TV firm--Lawyer (10/29/2003)
• Toronto Star: Hepburn wanted in Anne Film (10/30/2003)
• Halifax Herald/Canadian Press: Sullivan Entertainment Reveals Finances in Suit against AofGG Heirs (11/04/2003)
• Globe and Mail: Anne made Sullivan rich--Family (11/05/2003)
• Toronto Star/Canadian Press: Sullivan made big purchases (11/06/2003)
• Toronto Star: Profit dispute at heart of lawsuit (11/10/2003)
• Toronto Star/Canadian Press: Offer to settle hiked tenfold, Green Gables suit hears (11/14/2003)
• Toronto Star/Canadian Press: Green Gables case hears of longtime mistrust (11/14/2003)
• Globe and Mail/Canadian Press: Author's granddaughter testifies in Green Gables lawsuit (11/14/2003)
• Globe and Mail/Canadian Press: Court hears Sullivan offered $150,000 for Green Gables author's work (11/17/2003)
• Toronto Star/Canadian Press: Green Gables heirs had malicious plan, lawyer says (11/20/2003)
• Globe and Mail/Canadian Press: Defence lawyer urges dismissal of Anne suit (11/28/2003)
• Globe and Mail: Bookkeeping on Anne movies "laughable", trial told (11/29/2003)
• Toronto Star/Canadian Press: Judge throws out Green Gables lawsuit (1/19/2004)
• CANOE/Canadian Press: Judge Tosses 'Anne of Green Gables' lawsuit (1/20/2004)
• Canlii.org ~ Trial details
• Toronto Star: Green Gables verdict appealed (2/16/2004)

In June 2004, Sullivan retracted his appeal on the Green Gables verdict.