Spare a copper guv....?

[davem]

This may be of interest - Charity Commission page for the Tolkien Trust http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk...idiaryNumber=0
You can download their accounts for the year ending April 2008 & see what grants they've made - a total of £1,325,425. (Its in the 'About this Charity' box on the top left - just click 'View Accounts') You'll also notice this little statement

The substantial increase (£187,716 in 2007 to £311,737 in 2008 - or £124,021) in Solicitors' costs and Other legal fees arises from the claim against New Line Cinema in connection with which legal proceedings were commenced in February 2008 ....

The Trustees have been advised that they are entitled to an accounting for their share of a gross profit participation due in respect of the recently released films based on "The Lord of the Rings", as successors-in-interest under a contract entered into in July 1969 which disposed of the film rights in that work. Together with two other plaintiffs jointly entitled to such accounting, they commenced legal proceedings against New Line Cinema in the courts of Los Angeles in February 2008. The three plaintiffs are collectively claiming compensatory damages in excess of $150 million and other relief in the proceedings. An audit is in progress to quantify the claim and the proportionate entitlements of the plaintiffs. The anticipated cost of the legal proceedings remains in the range $1.5 to 2.5 million.

in other words £124,021 which could have gone to good causes has had to be spent by the Trust in pursuing its legal obligations - & yes, as I understand it they are obliged to chase New Line for the money.....