Author Ray Bradbury Gives Testimony on ‘Dr. Acula’

More than 60 years ago, a literary agent gave a struggling young writer named Ray Bradbury his first big break, long before the science fiction author became a household name.

On Monday, Bradbury returned the favor for Forrest J Ackerman, who is fighting a legal battle over what he believes is his rightful trademark and pen name, “Dr. Acula.”

“How do you pronounce it, derrr-Acula, or Dr. Acula? It’s been a running joke . . . I would say [for] 60 years,” Bradbury testified during a trial in Van Nuys Superior Court.

Every time he heard it or saw it in print, he would tease Ackerman, Bradbury said. “It struck me as a very funny name.”

Ackerman, who published Bradbury’s first short story, “Hollerbochen’s Dilemma,” in the late 1930s, has sued his former business associate Ray Ferry for trademark violation, breach of contract, fraud and deceit.

Ackerman claims that he coined the moniker in 1939 and has been identifying himself as “Dr. Acula” ever since in his writings, Web site and the Sci-Fi Channel. The lawsuit alleges that Ferry, with whom he collaborated to stage science fiction conventions, refused to share profits as agreed and fraudulently induced him to sign an options contract that would allow Ferry to buy million of dollars worth of his assets for $1.

The 83-year-old Los Feliz resident, whose movie memorabilia-filled mansion resembles a science fiction and horror museum, is seeking about $1 million in damages and a declaration that the options contract is void, said his attorney, Jacqueline Connors Appelbaum.

Ferry, publisher of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine, claims that he, not Ackerman, has owned the rights to the “Dr. Acula” trademark since 1993 and that his registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is pending. He further alleged that the octogenarian stalked and terrorized him through faxes and mail, making death threats and causing him anxiety and lost sleep. Ferry is seeking $25 million in damages.

Both men seek an order prohibiting the other from using the “Dr. Acula” name.

In a wheelchair next to the witness stand, Bradbury regaled the courtroom of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Stephen D. Petersen with stories and about his high regard for Ackerman, whom he called the world expert on science fiction films and literature.

“Forrest J Ackerman . . . he’s my life. I wouldn’t be sitting here today if is wasn’t for him,” said Bradbury, now 80, of Cheviot Hills. His books include “The Martian Chronicles” and “Fahrenheit 451.”