Fosse, Kander & Ebb Reps Sue Mirmax For CHICAGO Profits

By: Apr. 28, 2010
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The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that the creatives behind CHICAGO are suing Miramax over $12 million in shortchanged profits from the 2002 musical film.

"Nicole Fosse, heir to director/choreographer/co-writer Bob Fosse, along with composer John Kander and the estate of late lyricist Fred Ebb, today sued Miramax and Walt Disney Pictures., claiming they've been shortchanged by more than $12 million from "the old razzle dazzle" approach to accounting for profits from the best picture Oscar winner."

The creative team claims a 1980 deal assigned to Miramax "entitles it to a 4% backend of "'Distributor's Gross Receipts' after 'Artificial Breakeven,'" as defined in the deal. They also claim they have been underpaid their 15% royalty on soundtrack sales from the film."

The suit states that Miramax underreported "more than $165 million in gross receipts (through December 31, 2006) and the overstating of more than $32 million in deductions and exclusions from those gross receipts."

THR adds that "Miramax was sued on similar grounds in 2006 by Martin Richards, a producer on the film who claimed that deceptive accounting practices shortchanged him by millions. That case was settled in 2008. The new case, filed by Stanton "Larry" Stein, Daniel Fiore and Maribeth Annaguey at LA's Liner Grode Stein firm, claims causes of action for breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contractual relations, accounting, open book account and declaratory relief."

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