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16 March 2012 7:24 AM, PDT | The Guardian - Film News | See recent The Guardian - Film News news »

Producer Paul Zaentz suggests Southampton free house pays £65 a year for the privilege of calling itself The Hobbit

A Hollywood producer who filed an injunction demanding a Southampton pub stop calling itself The Hobbit has offered to "amicably resolve" the dispute over a pint.

Paul Zaentz's claim for copyright infringement against the colourful free house, which has held its name for more than 20 years, was criticised by Hobbit stars Stephen Fry and Ian McKellen. Zaentz, whose California-based Saul Zaentz company also owns rights to The Lord of the Rings, defended his actions but said he would consider offering the pub an official licence under the right circumstances.

"Regardless of the size of the company, if we didn't go after these infringements, then other people would say: 'If they can use them without authorisation, why can't we?'" Zaentz told the BBC. "When it's an established business, we like to »

- Ben Child

1 item from 2012