Writs fly in Toyland over pounds 70m bid
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WAR HAS broken out in Toyland and the future of Noddy and Big Ears is at stake. The two well-known children's characters, together with the Famous Five and Hercule Poirot, are at the heart of a furious legal battle over a failed pounds 70m takeover bid by the man who gave Noddy an American accent.
David Lane, who successfully exported an American version of Noddy to the United States, is being sued by Chorion, the company that owns the rights to the characters, for allegedly disclosing confidential information in relation to the bid.
Mr Lane resigned as a director of Chorion last September. He launched his bid soon afterwards using the American investment bank Bear Stearns. He was rebuffed by Chorion's board, led by John Conlan, chairman, and Nick Tamblyn, managing director.
Mr Lane was bidding for the intellectual property rights to more than 600 stories by Enid Blyton, which Chorion's predecessor bought from the writer's family for pounds 14m in 1996.
The bid also included Agatha Christie's oeuvre, which the company bought from the food giant Booker for pounds 10m last year.
Chorion is demanding damages for breach of contract, compensation for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of confidence, and damages for interfering with the company's affairs by unlawful means. Mr Lane is understood to be contesting the action. Mr Lane and Chorion both declined to comment on the case.
Mr Lane joined the board of Chorion, the renamed Trocadero company, in July 1997 at the same time as Mr Conlan and Mr Tamblyn arrived from Allied Leisure.
Mr Lane became managing director of Enid Blyton Ltd, the company which owns the rights to the famous children's writer's books, where he was widely credited with securing a highly lucrative television deal for an American Noddy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments