A quick scan of an advance copy of the controversial novel reveals obvious similarities to Mitchell's original. But surely Randall's pedestrian volume is no threat to the fortunes of the Mitchell estate and may even rekindle interest in the original novel. Copyright laws protect intellectual property of authors and publishers. The First Amendment protects everyone's right to free expression. In a struggle between the two principles, the right of an author to publish should take precedence.
Halting publication is an unacceptable exercise in prior restraint.
If copyright laws were violated, that can be settled in a civil suit. Houghton Mifflin is appealing the ruling and a hearing has been scheduled for May 25 in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the interest generated by the legal action will be a publicity windfall for the author and publisher, if the novel ever goes on sale. The Daily Camera. All rights reserved.