US film studio looks into NZ copyright allegations

United States film studio 20th Century Fox is investigating a Christchurch man's copyright breach allegations.

Author Gavin Bishop has said the makers of the blockbuster movie Mr and Mrs Smith have stolen his story idea, The Press reported.

The film-maker has now asked for a copy of the 24-page children's book written by Mr Bishop -- The Secret Lives of Mr and Mrs Smith.

Wendy Pye, a publisher of educational books in New Zealand, told the newspaper she has been asked for the book, but was unaware of any other matters regarding the case.

Mr Bishop has said the film's plot was very similar to the book he wrote for schools in 1997.

However, while in Mr Bishop's book the husband and wife are spies, in the celluloid version they are assassins.

He has said the similarities were "too close to be accidental".

He said he was planning to sue the makers of the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movie, yet despite being contacted by a lawyer was yet to accept as he was undecided about his next step.

Another New Zealand author, Michael Baigent, is currently arguing in court in London that the Dan Brown book The Da Vinci Code lifts the "whole architecture" of his work The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail.

Mr Baigent is suing has taken the book's publisher -- Random House.

Thousands of copies of Mr Bishop's 24-page book were distributed to schools throughout the United States.

Mr Bishop said he first became aware of the similarities with his book when he saw adverts for the film while in Los Angeles.

- NZPA