History Aside, Author Has Earned Payment

If no one can copyright historical events, does that mean that DreamWorks cannot copyright “Amistad” [“Novelist Urges Court to Block Spielberg Film,” The Biz, Nov. 18]?

DreamWorks attorney Bert Fields’ claim that author Barbara Chase-Riboud is suing the studio “only for money” leaves me wondering. When artists write books or make films about historical events, are they supposed to do it solely as a public service? Is it wrong for them to expect to be paid for the laborious research and creative work they do? If so, did DreamWorks make “Amistad” as a public service? Is it a disgrace for DreamWorks to expect to be paid when filmgoers see the movie?

I think the true disgrace is that Ms. Chase-Riboud has to resort to litigation to defend her creative rights against Steven Spielberg, who, one would think, as an artist himself would have more respect.

DreamWorks should pay Ms. Chase-Riboud for the story she crafted and for her creative contribution to their much-anticipated movie.

JOETTE REID

Santa Monica

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I say it’s about time Steven Spielberg is revealed as the greedy, profits-over-people-corporate mongrel he is. People like Spielberg, often represented as the misperceived “liberal Hollywood,” give the real liberals a bad name.

If powerful people like Spielberg refuse to abide by the standard of fair play, what hope is there for those moguls not held up to public scrutiny?

GAIL WICHERT

Palms