Literary Estates Embroiled in Disputes Over Rights and Royalties
Recent and past legal battles highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the management of literary estates, with disputes erupting over royalties, publication rights, and alleged plagiarism.
In Mexico, controversy arose when the Premio Nacional de Literatura was awarded to Tomás Segovia, a writer who had previously criticized Juan Rulfo, author of Pedro Páramo. Together, Marie José Paz, widow of Octavio Paz, publicly contested the Octavio Paz Foundation‘s leadership under Guillermo Sheridan in 2001, alleging unpaid royalties from online poem publications. She reportedly never presented documentation establishing her as the sole heir and executor of her husband’s estate.Further disputes involved accusations against other writers, including eduardo Langagne, of profiting from Octavio Paz’s work.
Similar conflicts have unfolded internationally.In Spain, a fifteen-year legal battle followed the death of Nobel laureate Camilo José Cela, ultimately resulting in his son receiving two-thirds of his estate, overturning initial provisions for his wife, Marina Cataño.
Perhaps the most publicized case involves María kodama, widow of Jorge Luis Borges. She successfully sued writer Pablo Katchdjian for plagiarism, claiming his expanded version of “El Aleph” – adding 5,600 words – improperly altered the original story.Argentine writers defended Katchdjian, arguing for the validity of creative reinterpretation. Kodama’s control over Borges’ work, and its location outside of Argentina, drew criticism.
However, not all literary widows pursue contentious paths. Examples like Pilar del Río, widow of José Saramago, and Carolina López, widow of Roberto Bolaño, are praised for prioritizing the promotion of their husbands’ work over monetary gain. Eva Gabrielsson, widow and assistant to Stieg Larsson, continued to support the publication of his Millennium series after his death. These cases demonstrate a spectrum of approaches to managing the legacies of celebrated authors.
