Demi Moore settles stoush with New Idea

An Australian court case involving Hollywood star Demi Moore is expected to be settled out of court, meaning she will not be called to give evidence.

Moore, who is suing Pacific Magazines, the publishers of New Idea, for allegedly breaching copyright by publishing photos of her, was expected to take the stand in the Federal Court in Melbourne on Tuesday, but the case was set to be settled out of court today.

The settlement amount has not been disclosed.

Federal Court judge John Middleton said in court today that Moore was no longer required to give evidence.

"From the media interest, it appears there will be a large number of disappointed fans (now) that Ms Moore will not be attending tomorrow to give evidence," he said.

A lawyer for Moore said: "I am pleased to say that the matter has settled in principle."

He said it was anticipated settlement terms would be worked out later on Monday.

Justice Middleton adjourned the matter until Tuesday.

Moore is suing the publisher for printing a series of black and white snaps of herself, her daughter Rumer Willis, Orlando Bloom, P Diddy, Cameron Diaz and Amanda De Cadenet taken at an Oscars after-party in 2008.

The photos show the celebrities hamming it up together in photo booth-style snaps.

The post-Oscars bash, organised by Moore and Madonna, was held at the Los Angeles home of the Material Girl's manager Guy Oseary on February 24, 2008.

Moore lodged a claim in 2008 stating the magazine breached her copyright when it published the pictures on the front cover and on two pages inside its March 8 edition without her permission.

According to the statement of claim, Moore spoke to event organiser Jeffrey Best at the party and the pair agreed that by paying for the photographs Moore would be assigned the copyright.

She says she has suffered loss and damage as a result of the publication.

- AAP