The Hollywood Reporter, which originally broke the news that Harlan Ellison was suing New Regency and director Andrew Niccol, now has the news that Ellison has dropped the suit “with prejudice.” THR has no direct commentary from any of the principals, but does note that, “according to a stipulation filed in court on Monday, the decision came after the plaintiff had a chance to see the film.”
Ellison’s original claim was that the film In Time had obvious similarities to his 1965 award-award-winning short story “‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman.”
THR thinks Ellison may have dropped the suit in response to the film’s poor showing at the box office and with the critics, saying “his legal track record suggests that he has no qualms about about going to the mat to demand payment for use of his high-concept ideas. But typically, his claims have been reserved for TV shows and films that have been well received.”
As part of the agreement to dismiss the current suit, Ellison has also agreed that each party will bear its own attorney fees.
For more details, see THR‘s article, and this September article about the lawsuit.