03/09/2006: 
Arcanum
"The DaVinci Code" On Trial in England
from BBC News
Right now in England, Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, two of the writers of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" are suing Dan Brown, the author of "The DaVinci Code" and his publisher on the grounds of plagiarism.
The two books are rather similar and explore an alternative reading of the history of the Catholic church and the life of Jesus. "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" came out in 1982 and is a work of non-fiction, while "The DaVinci Code," which was first published in 2003, is a mystery novel which incorporates these historical elements. If they are successful, the writers of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" could be the first in what is a long line of lawsuits from people who feel their work was ripped off by someone who is more famous. Another interesting aspect of the case is that both books are published in the U.K. by the same publisher, Random House.
I read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" when I was a senior in high school and it was the first of many "alternative history/ lost cities/ tinfoil hat" books for me. When I first heard of "The DaVinci Code" (which I have not read yet), I figured a lawsuit would be forthcoming due to the extreme similarities between it and "holy Blood, Holy Grail." Considering that there is a "DaVinci Code" movie coming out soon, this lawsuit will no doubt be a financial windfall to all parties involved.
