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‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ author Harper Lee sues Ala. hometown museum for using her name, title

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee is suing a museum in her hometown of Monroeville to stop it from selling souvenirs with her name and the title of her Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

The lawsuit, filed last week in federal court in Mobile, says the Monroe County Heritage Museum has traded on Lee’s fame without her approval and without compensating her. It seeks an unspecified amount in damages.

Museum attorney Matt Goforth says the non-profit museum honours Lee’s legacy and that she had never sought money from the museum in its 25 years of existence.

The suit comes after Lee sought a federal trademark for the title of her book when it’s used on clothing. The museum opposed her application, saying its souvenir sales are vital to its continued operation.

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