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Museum attorney Matt Goforth said Friday, "We are hopeful this legal dispute, originally initiated by Ms. Lee's attorneys, will not damage our relationship." Lee's attorney said people occasionally show up online up selling "To Kill a Mockingbird" merchandise, but a letter to cease usually takes care of that. He said the trademark application is aimed at the museum because of its continuous sale of merchandise. That merchandise is remaining on sale while the trademark application is pending. Attorneys on both sides said the timeline for legal arguments set by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office means the case could take a year or more. Last week, Lee settled the lawsuit she filed to secure the copyright to her classic novel. A federal judge in New York City approved the order dismissing the case against Samuel L. Pinkus, the son-in-law of Lee's former literary agent, and companies he allegedly created. Two other defendants had been dropped from the suit a week earlier. Lee's trademark application was first reported by The Monroe Journal, the newspaper in Monroeville.
[Associated
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